I don't have a recipe this week but I've been focusing on ways to make healthy eating more approchable. Have you made any of these choices as you are getting healthier for the new year?
Personally I'm trying to reduce my sugar while boosting my fiber intake. Which, honestly, is hard because sugar, in some form or fashion, is in EVERYTHING! I am trying to make more conscious choices about my food. Sometimes I wish I could be totally perfect and know more about holistic nutrition. However, as I look back over my journey over the past year, I'm blown away with my change and progress. I'm a completely different person. Change usually doesn't happy over night, it's baby steps and slow progress. I used to think "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." That's not true for me anymore. Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels. Think about it.
Eat Real Food. Is it canned or boxed? Cut it out. Focus on real, whole foods. One of the biggest myths out here is that processed food is cheaper. Sure, it may be cheaper at check out when you use coupons, but what about the long run? Will is be cheaper when you add doctor bills and prescriptions?
Shop Local. Do you have a Farmer's Market? If you aren't sure, find out. Buying local organic ingredient are going to have a higher vitamin, mineral, antioxidant and nutritional value. You also supper your community and local farmers.
Shop the Perimeter of the Store. This is pretty self explanatory, but an easy rule to follow. The middle of the grocery store is where you're going to find expiration dates what can last anywhere from 1-5 years. Yikes, living a long isn't found through preservatives (buy these sparingly). As you shop the outer aisles of the store, you'll find perishables- produce, meats, nuts and seeds. Processed food is dead, very minimal nutrients; fresh fruit, veggies, nuts and seeds are alive. When you choose food, are you choosing life?
Cut the Sugar. That means artificial sweeteners, too. Excessive sugar in your body can many negative repercussions, the main ones would be obesity, type II diabetes and chronic disease. Not enough reason to give up sugar? How about this: a good portion of manufacturing companies use bone char (from bones of cattle) to decolorize sugar while the sugar cane is being processed. Yum. Artificial sweeteners are classified as neurotoxins, a poison that acts on your nervous system. These adverse reactions manifest themselves in headaches, moodiness, fuzzy thinking and depression.
Read Labels. If you're getting into more than 5 ingredients and over 4 grams of sugar, you're getting into tricky territory with added sugar and engineered ingredients. You'll be surprised what is added into a packaged product. If you can't pronounce the ingredients, don't buy it.
Eat the Rainbow. This is easy and fun, who doesn't love a colorful plate? By eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables you're developing a healthier palate and your tastebuds will begin to crave healthier choices. Did you know that when you find delight in your food and dinner companions you will digest food better? Take the time to make a pretty plate!
Be Prepared. When hunger hits or your blood sugar drops, you need food, fast. Planning ahead and having bagged fruit, veggies and hummus or homemade trail mix will not only be better nutritionally, but also be more satisfying.
Cook at Home. It's easier to eat out and faster but it's certainly not healthier. Most dishes are laden with fat and sodium; by cooking at home you are in control of the recipe. Try taking an old favorite and making it healthy by using olive or coconut oil instead of canola, himalayan or sea salt instead of iodized salt. Find ways to add in more vegetables like spinach, kale or bell peppers.
Skip Soft Drinks. Soda and diet sodas a best left untouched. Your body needs water. Is the taste too plain? Try spicing it up and lemon, lime, oranges or mint. Drinking water has a multitude of benefits, but you may need more than just 64 ounces. You need half your body weight in ounces, such as 150lb person needs 75 ounces of water.
Make it Meatless. Have you heard of "Meatless Monday"? Switch a hamburger with a black bean or sweet potato burger. You will get a well balanced and delicious meal that adds 20-25% of your recommended protein intake.
