Posts Tagged ‘diet’

Ok so you are finally getting some traction on your weight loss and the dreaded weekend is here!!! You are heading out to the family BBQ. You know its going to be hard to keep to your program – no worries- here are 5 Tips To Survive A Barbeque

• Pass on the hot dog and go for the hamburger minus the bun. Skip the ketchup (its full of hfcs) and add lettuce and tomato. If you are lucky steak and chicken are will be available – heck yeah is what I say to that☺

• Pass over the mayonnaise laden salads; macaroni, potato, cole slaw and hit up the green lettuce salad.

• Drinks – wine (red, merlot), club soda with a dash of cranberry juice or bring your liquid stevia travel pack! I love squeezing a fresh lime, lime stevia and throwing in some frozen raspberries – limeade (getting carried away). Beer is a show stopper – but if you must go for the low carb variety. Just know that alcohol prohibits fat loss. If its your “Cheat Night” Cheers!

• Eat alittle something before you go. And make sure you have already consumed ½ your body weight in water. It will fill you up and help if you have an alcoholic beverage as it will dehydrate you!

Last but certainly not least – “Step away from the food table”

The Grapefruit Diet, Cabbage Diet, Soup Diet, Starvation Diet……….Diets come and go!!!!!! But the fact remains: the extra weight prevails. More importantly, these fad diets can be dangerous.

Here’s a quick snapshot of some trends that many believe are the real deal:

1) Meat is BAD for You

This fact remains an issue for women. We find that most women don’t consume enough protein! Here’s a reality check: if you don’t get your protein from your diet, your body will take it from your lean muscle mass!!!! And that my “Protein Fearing Friends” is a big PROBLEM!!!!!  We need our lean muscle mass to burn fat. Women are under the misnomer that having too much muscle mass means you will look like the Hulk! NOT TRUE!!  The reality is lean muscle mass will make you look lean and toned.  Think fitness model:)

If that doesn’t work for you how about this: for every pound of muscle you gain, your body will burn an extra 50 calories per week. Lean muscle burns more calories that fat does.  How would you like to burn calories while resting or sleeping??  Increase your lean muscle mass!!!!

2) Fat Free is the way to Go

Heck no!!! Fat free is code for Sugar laden and calorie packed.  Think about it – if they are removing the fat what are the replacing it with?  HELLO!!!  Many take the liberty of eating more when the food is “Fat Free”.  Remember when Snack Well Cookies first came out? I remember the Chocolate Chip Cookies – they were really small and people were eating the entire box in one seating.  Why not its fat free!!

Not only is a fat-free diet not healthy its also not filling.  Fat has an important place in your diet and its critical for body function even while watching your weight.  Our bodies require monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

3) Run From All Carbs

All carbohydrates are not created equal!!  Run from refined carbs such as white bread and soda.  The staple for many Americans.  Choose healthier carbs like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.  Yes veggies are a carb!!!  If every plate was filled with a rainbow of veggies everyday life would be good:)  We need to compliment our proteins and fats with an assortment of vegetables.  The alkaline rich vegetables balance the acidic based protein!! When was the last time you had a piece of fruit?  How about quinoa?  There are many whole grains to choose from.

4) Cut Calories and Weight Loss is Ensured

We are talking quality versus quantity here.   Choose foods, be it protein, carbs, veggie, fats that are as close to their natural state as possible.  The more the food has been modified or altered the less nutritional value it has.  Fish=go for wild, meat=look for grain fed beef, chicken=cage free.  Think: what would your grandparents eat?  Now all of my grandparents hailed from Ireland and they had no clue as to a Whooper or a Big Mac. They didn’t have much raising their large families but my parents always said they were never hungry. Believe it or not I have found although I might pay alittle more for quality the taste is 100% better and the health benefits are PRICELESS. I eat my veggies and fruits according to the seasons – ensuring that they are fresh and priced accordingly.

5) All Brown Grains are Best

All things brown are not created equal!  There are alot of poseurs out there, don’t be fooled. Your best bet is to choose Whole Grain and Whole Wheat when checking your labels.

Its the extra fiber in whole grains that is paramount.  First and foremost: You feel full and you eat less:)  In addition, it helps regulate the insulin that’s produced with every meal you consume.

How’s that for a reality check?

There is no doubt about it. The evidence is Clear and Conclusive!

In order to prevent and reverse 80% of the diseases that Americans suffer from, you must adopt a Nutrient Dense eating lifestyle.

Imagine:

50% of Americans no longer die from heart attacks

35% of Americans never die from cancer

Our children don’t suffer from headaches and re-occuring earaches

The elderly population no longer suffer from hip fractures and spend their last years as dependent on others to care for them.

We have the power to avoid ALL of the above!! Or rather, each of us holds the power.

Stop blaming others. Its not the government’s responsibility to keep you well – its YOURS!

Take Control of YOUR Health!

Acne
Arthritis
Alzheimer’s
ADD/ADHD
Allergies
Asthma
Hormonal Imbalance
Fatigue
Depression
IBS
Migraines

Yes All of the above can be PREVENTED with a whole foods, nutrient dense lifestyle. How cool is that?

Stop reaching for the miracle PILL “aka – Quick Fix” and look towards Whole Foods as the answer!!

Nutrient dense eating is powerful because it provides the body with all the nutrients it needs to do what it was created to do – Keep Itself Healthy!!!

So are you ready to Take Control of Your Health???

The Choice is Yours…………………………