Hi all!
For the past 2+ years, I have been changing the way I look and understand food. The term "Clean Eating" is a great one. I've changed the way I eat significantly. It's really hard sometimes, but if you can change your mind set and understand why it's better than it's so much easier. I've lost about 40 pounds in the last year or so...definitely from this clean eating change, although since I went on vacation in July, I've slipped up a bit and that's why I joined SP a week ago (almost) I need some kind of tool like this to keep me motivated.
But, I truly, with all my heart believe in and have done a lot of research about how we should be eating. Again, not always the easiest, but definitely the best way. My BF is amazing with nutrition and health and he has taught me so much...but I have done my own research as well.
There are so many misconceptions, myths, untruths about how we should be eating. No wonder we're all so confused and lost in terms of what to eat!
This is what I think and how I (try my best) to eat.
Very low carbs. Even whole grains aren't all they're cracked up to be. People eat too many grains in America...a bit reason the obesity issue is so huge. Our bodies do not need that many carbs (unless you're a marathon runner).
Very low sugar. So many people eat WAY too much sugar. Soda and juice- terrible for you. Processed foods of any kind- terrible for you. Fast Food- the worst (not even salads)...remember too that fruit has A LOT of sugar and should also only be enjoyed seldomly. It's not an "All You Can Eat" kind of thing... :)
Artificial Sweeteners are terrible for you and I would bet that in the near future laws will change regarding them. Nutra-Sweet, Splenda, Equal, etc...are poisons to your body. They are extremely bad not only for losing weight, but for your overall health as well.
Try Stevia for a no-calorie sweetener. It's natural and although I hear people talk about it's taste, I think it's just something that you have to get used to because the health benefit is so great in switching to this. If not, just use raw/natural sugar sparingly. I have a cup of coffee every day and I use a packet of organic stevia and some organic coconut milk. It's awesome!
On the note of eating "organic". I have switched to eating almost 100% organically. Of course it's tough when out at a restaurant or eating at someone else's house, but other than that, all the food I buy and bring into my house is organic. Just like the artificial sweeteners, the chemicals and toxins on non-organic food is very bad for your overall health and with both artificial sweeteners and non-organic food, your liver has to spend a ton of time processing and getting rid of all these toxins. So, it doesn't have time to do what it could be doing, which is helping you to burn more fat and lose more weight. So...if you think about it, the more toxins you digest (artificial sweeteners and chemical and antibiotics (from most non-organic meat) the less weight you'll lose. And just your overall health will improve getting this garbage out of your bodies.
I'm not a doctor, I'm not a nutritionist...I'm just someone that went through a major health ordeal (3 heart surgeries, 5 stents at age 32) and I just have stopped trying to fool myself with what I need to do to get healthy. I'm not perfect, I slip up...I had Beef Wellington two nights ago with chocolate mousse AND a fruit tart for dessert!! haha. But, I KNOW what I need to do....and for the most part, I do it.
So, this is what I eat:
Organic, grass fed meats
Organic, free range, chicken and eggs
Organic and raw cheese (other than that, I stay away from dairy as much as I can....try almond or coconut milk!)
Lots of organic veggies (but know that some veggies (carrots) also contain a lot of sugar that should be eaten less....) try red cabbage sauteed with some red pepper or broccoli with a little olive oil and soy...SO good!)
Organic and raw Nuts, not roasted or salted
Good fats, Organic Olive oil and coconut oil are the best. Vegetable oil, canola are not good for you.
Okay, so again, I will say, I'm not a doctor. These are things that I have learned from doing a lot of reading and talking to a lot of smart people. :)
We weren't put on this planet to eat 100 Calorie Packs, Sugar-Free, Fat-free pudding or that crazy thing called "margarine"...these shouldn't even be considered "Food"...
Okay, I'll get off my soapbox. Thanks for listening. I always want to learn more and am always open-minded to change...it's the only way to be in this life, I think. So, let me know what you think.
Remember, changing your life isn't going to happen overnight. But, with small baby steps, we can all achieve our best health...and be as happy and healthy as we can possibly be... :)
If not now, when?
Join "Journey to Onderland" Spark Team! :)
| Pounds lost: 7.4 |
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