Every time I hear the word diet I get a sinking feeling of disappointment that comes when you don’t complete something. I feel failure before I even start. For women especially,the word itself has negative connotations. We think of all the things we cant have when we hear this word. Many of us are in a state of loss over what we wont be eating finding ourselves obsessing ….not helpful at all. Eating clean on the other hand is a term that reminds us were doing something in the positive for our bodies. Focusing on getting the good stuff in is half the battle and will work a long way towards limiting cravings. I tell my clients who emotionally battle with food to focus on the "IN FOODS" then eliminating the "OUT FOODS " will happen more naturally. You eat yourself into a better head space by placing an emphasis on getting fed properly .
Dieting Set- Ups for Failure
Cutting out carbs completely: It amazes me how many people still eliminate carbs and wonder why they yo-yo. Carbs are energy and your body needs it.Sure you will lose weight but since this is not a diet that is sustainable the second you start eating tcarbs again the pounds go right back where the were. No- carb diets can also cause Ketosis. This goes to show you what an unhealthy choice this is.
Excessively low caloric intake: Wether it is skipping meals or just eating too little for your size you have to feed your body to lose weight. If you don’t your body will store fat.
Failing to plan: I have emphasized this many times before. Its simple. Plan what your going to eat so your not scrambling in starvation making bad choices. It doesn’t have to be an excel spread sheet but decide in advance.
Fad diets: Oh let me count the ways. Cabbage soup diet, South Beach diet the list goes on. Fad diets cause fad weight-loss not permanent change so really… why waste your time?
How to eat clean for a lifetime of lean:
Getting the good foods in is the ticket. Learning to love clean food and the energetic light feeling that comes with it is a process. Beginners who really want that piece of cake will still have it. Their number one job however will be to eat proper balanced meals before hand. You can’t fight fact. A balanced diet that feeds your body the nutrients it needs will go a definitive mile in reducing bad food cravings. These cravings are not a battle that can be fought without the proper ammunition.
Bad Food Ammunition:
Essential Fatty Acids: Your body needs fat. Our tissue based body thrives on fat when it is the good kind. In fact the good fats play a big role in breaking down the bad fat. Examples are salmon, avocados, and nuts.
Protein: Protein feeds your muscle and you have to feed your muscle to maintain it. Muscles are the engines in your body that fire up your metabolism. Examples are chicken, turkey, low fat cottage cheese, eggs, and protein based shakes and bars.
Water : Dehydration is very unhealthy for our bodies. We need water to flush out toxins and help our organs to to function optimally. Drink it to also avoid the hunger trigger associated with dehydration.
High Fiber whole grain carbs : Carbs are your friend in small doses with a big bang benefit.They keep you going throughout the busy day. High fiber choices like grain based no sugar added cereals, sweet potatoes, corn and peas are all fabulous complex carbs. Watch portion size and feel free to cut out evening carbs as it often becomes unused calories.
The fruit factor : Fruit is a heck of a lot better than a candy bar but still high in sugars. Educate yourself on servings sizes and the benefits of certain fruit types so you can make choices. Did you know that a whole banana is two servings of fruit? This type of information is crucial to meal planning.
Here is to happy healthy eating
Andrea
PS If your struggling check out www.sproutright.com Lianne Phillipson- Webb is one of the best nutritionists I know with help for the whole family.
Great info – thanks!