How is it that we can't seem to think that something nutritious and healthy could in fact be tasty and enjoyable? Ever since I started to eat healthy food I have discovered new tastes, new flavours and new favourites. I do it almost daily. When I stopped looking at meat as the main ingredient of a meal I found a hundred new ways to prepare a good meal. I did not exclude meat completely, only the kinds that contain saturated fat. I continued to eat chicken, turkey and fish. (Chicken has its fat in the skin, so you can cut it off.) I eat vegetarian dishes at least three days a week, and the veg food has become my favourite food. Why? Because it tastes so good and the food is so easy to vary. I can't think of a life without it anymore. It would be a poor life. This food is a treasury and it has given me energy and strength that I did not have before.
The benefits are plenty. You will feel spry and lively again. You will lose weight. You will strengthen your immune system and stay well longer. You will lower your blood pressure. I could go on.
I am a notorious tea drinker, and I loved all kinds of black teas. The taste of green tea didn't appeal to me, I found it bitter. But I discovered several kinds of green tea that I have learned to enjoy and I now drink it every day. It's actually become "my cup of tea".
This is what I would suggest that you do if you want to improve your eating habits:
? Reduce the fat, especially the saturated fat, which is mostly found in meat and dairy products. Exchange the butter and margarine with extra-virgin olive oil. Avoid oils with high percentage of saturated and polyunsaturated fat. Use oils which contain mostly monounsaturated fat. Using the right kinds of fat (with moderation) is more important than reducing the fat in general. Instead of milk you may want to drink yogurt (containing live cultures) which is better for the stomach.
? Eat fish at least twice a week. If you don't like fish, make sure you get enough of the omega-3 fatty acids. One way to do this is by eating flax seed.
? Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, cereals and whole grain.
? Make the vegetables the main part of the meal. Rice, pasta, potatoes or couscous and beans are priority number two. Eat fish, chicken or a small slice of meat with it if you like, but it is not necessary. You will feel better if you exclude the meat and spare yourself the saturated fat.
? Eat soy products regularly (e.g. tofu, tempeh, and miso, or vegetarian beefs made of soy beans). There have been discussions about soy and its health risks, but the benefits seem to be greater than these supposed risks.
? Drink water with every meal and in between meals. You can't get enough of water.
? Use fresh ginger (the root) and garlic in your cooking. Goes well with nearly everything.
? Use fresh and dried herbs in all cooking.
? Reduce the coffee. Preferably switch to green tea. If you drink black tea, replace it partly or completely with green tea.
? Reduce the sugar. Don't use artificial sweeteners. They are not healthier. There is no evidence to suggest that using artificial sweeteners would help you lose weight. Pure sugar is OK (raw sugar is slightly better than white), just use it with moderation. Read package labels for information about sweeteners and other additives.
? Take some vitamin and mineral supplement every day.
? Sweets should be consumed with moderation. Only a few small sweets in the weekend. Dark chocolate is good (but still with moderation because of the sugar). Nuts can be an alternative to sweets (still with moderation).
? Alcohol should be used with moderation if at all. A glass of wine on Saturday evening does no harm if you are not oversensitive.
? Choose ecologically or organically grown products whenever possible.
? Try a day of fasting from time to time to rinse your system. Drink only fruit juices, water and green tea that day.
This plan will lead to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. It will make you lose weight without having to be hungry. Take one step at a time. A small change can make a big difference. You will be rewarded if you are determined to really try.
When you follow the advice above you will not need much meat. Protein can be added through beans, soy and seeds for instance. If you exclude the dairy products or some of them, make sure you get enough calcium through for instance calcium fortified soy milk and orange juice, and through green vegetables. If you exclude meat completely, be sure to get enough vitamin B12 from fortified soy milks or cereals or by taking a supplement.
Of course, you can have that little special treat now and then. The idea is to enjoy and have fun! If you feel like a prisoner you will not enjoy your new habits. But remember, if special treats come too often, they are not special treats anymore.
Ingela Berger started her own Internet business Lifestyle Plans in 2003 out of a desire to inspire and encourage others to make reality of their dreams of a personal, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. Ingela has studied theatre directing, history of art, and leadership psychology. After some years working with art exhibitions and the theatre she is now back at school to become a health and lifestyle consultant.
Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights ..America's focus on nutritious eating began to receive national attention... Read More
Cholesterol. What images come to mind when you see this... Read More
Do you know your ph? By getting ph strips at... Read More
Could it be possible that our beloved chocolate may actually... Read More
What is nutrition? We hear so many reports today on... Read More
The total calories that you should be consuming depend on... Read More
An American culture that is marked by a chronic lack... Read More
Food in general has the distinction of being probably the... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
Most of us are "regular" people. We don't eat the... Read More
Water is the most abundant substance in the human body.... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
Can we really stop the aging process, slow it down,... Read More
The word 'homeostasis' is made up of two Greek words:... Read More
Initially discovered as a new element in 1811 by Barnard... Read More
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More
What are Glyconutritionals?The Greek word "Glyco" means "Sugar". Most people... Read More
Essential Fatty Acids are oils, omega-3 and omega-6, that you... Read More
The body is a marvelous creation, a carbon, oxygen combustion... Read More
Because all of us have been brought up eating junk... Read More
I would like to dispel some of the myths and... Read More
After we have eaten a meal -- and often we... Read More
Omega-3 appear to reduce the risk of heart attack. A... Read More
Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc)... Read More
reliable maid service Winnetka ..One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
Dieters who dejectedly complain they are figuratively "stuck" with their... Read More
Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy... Read More
The question most people think they need an answer to... Read More
Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More
It is believed that cane sugar was discovered before the... Read More
Nutrition is extremely important for any young person, especially an... Read More
The research in support of dietary omega-3 fatty acids (such... Read More
OK, no more excuses. Here's how to stop making everyone... Read More
The nutritional support in critically ill patients can be explained... Read More
Just what is the "New Biology of Health?" And who's... Read More
How Can... Read More
Just as our country is currently engaged in a war... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
You are what you eat is a simple, time tested... Read More
OmegaRx Fish Oil, quoted as being close to a Medical... Read More
Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More
In this fast paced world, good nutrition may sound very... Read More
Many people complain that organic foods are more costly than... Read More
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
Recently yet another super-heavyweight Iron Immortal died from a heart... Read More
Having spent most of my life living off of junk... Read More
Nutrition |