I will start out by saying this is not an endorsement for a trendy diet plan. I am not going to sell you the latest diet or cure for obesity or flat tummy remedies. This blog is about making wise food choices. It is necessary to learn how to create a healthy relationship with food, so you avoid impulsive choices.
For starters, you need to be selective on what you eat a not just for weight loss but optimum performance. Your ideas about food need to change before you can learn to make healthy choices.
Trendy diets and food supplement work temporarily because you are essentially starving your body. Once weight goals are achieved, you regain the weight, because you go back to making the same old food choices. In order to successfully develop permanent eating patterns, you need to be mindful of the following:
- Get a medical check-up to make sure you do not have deficiencies or chronic health issues that may be impacted by a major diet change
- Keep in mind that everybody type has a different chemical make-up which is why one diet does not fit every individual
- Food is more than just a tummy filler; it is a combination of nutrients that supply our body and brain with fuel
- Smart food choices also provide our brain with the necessary chemicals to help regulate our moods
- Food is chemistry, which is why its a mood enhancer and used as fuel for physical function
- Avoid doing a trendy diet just because it worked for a friend. Keep in mind we all have different lifestyles and dietary needs
- Remember, when you begin your food modifications, is not a temporary phase, but a lifestyle upgrade
- Learn to cook in order to avoid eating foods with hidden calories and sugars
- Avoid processed foods as much as possible because they always have hidden sugars and salts that keep you craving more food, so you keep consuming more
- Though you should avoid processed foods, the truth is not everyone has the money or access to fresh produce, which means you need to read labels for food traps such as sugar and extra salt
- Moderation is essential, however before achieving it, you will need to reset your cravings
- Practice harm reduction when it comes to food choices, which means learning to identify food groups that keep you craving more consumption
- Avoid eating for comfort since it will lead to more unhealthy choices
- Clean out your food pantry and refrigerator of all processed junk food high in sugar or salt
- Always use a grocery list when food shopping in order to avoid buying unnecessary junk food
- Practice food planning since it will help reduce impulse eating and poor food choices
- Learn new recipes for healthy meal planning
- Make your food appealing to the eyes by using colorful vegetables
- Learn to consume food with high nutritional value for your lifestyle and specific body type.
- Remember food consumption will be different from person to person, for instance, a bodybuilder has different dietary needs than a runner or someone who practices yoga.
- A balanced health plan includes some form of exercise
- When going out to dinner, enjoy yourself, feeling deprived only makes you crave more
- When socializing, try to select events that are non-food related such as attending museums, art galleries, concerts, dancing, biking, hiking, walking, etc.
- Avoid sugary snacks, but If you must snack, pick snacks that are crunchy, packed with nutrients and naturally satisfy you.
- Keep healthy snacks in your home or carry with you to avoid random sugar products
- When spending the day out, take some emergency snacks with you, since it will not only save money but also keep you from consuming junk food
- When living with others, plan meals that everyone can enjoy and benefit from
- No need to be a vegan to be healthy since not everyone can thrive on plant-based meals only, specifically if they have problems digesting raw vegetables or need high-levels of iron
- Include the whole household in the meal planning in order to avoid having to higher food bills, cooking separate meals and sabotaging healthy eating
Changing your lifestyle is a big part of eating healthy. Diets do not work because they are based on plans that are meant to kick-start weight loss and not necessarily as a lifestyle. Most trendy diets cannot sustain us because they often lack balance and omit food groups we need. As individuals, our bodies require different food groups and nutrients to thrive and function based on our lifestyle and not some cookie-cutter formula.
Copyright © 2020. R. Castro
Reference
Clean eating for beginners resource
Holistic Coaching 