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I like to think I’m not like “most” nutrition experts.

And though I’m all about nutrition — I also take a different road than most people out there.  I’m not going to tell you exactly what to eat and when.  Sure, I’ll give you my suggestions and advice — but I need to look at the individual as a whole and not just say “eat this, not that” (because if it was that easy you’d already be at your ideal weight).

You see, most nutrition experts and Diets give their clients a list of foods to avoid.

And guess what?

As human beings — all too often we want what we can’t have.

Let me say that again.

We want what we can’t have.

Think about it.  Imagine I tell you right now, that you can never have another cookie again.

Okay, forever seems way too long.  So what if I said you couldn’t have a cookie this month.  I bet that while you’re typing away at the computer, driving in the car, while taking a shower — during one or all of these moments — you’ll be dreaming about, wanting, longing for, and craving a nice warm, out-of-the-oven cookie (preferably chocolate chip, please).

Don’t believe me?  Try it.  See what happens.  DENY yourself something you love, and see how long it lasts.

Ever been on a diet?  Yeah, I thought so.  And remember ‘caving in’ to one of the forbidden foods — and beating yourself up because you ate what you were not supposed to have?

When I work with clients I do the exact opposite — instead of giving them a list of foods to avoid, I have them ADD foods to their diet.

Pretty simple, yet quite effective.

So whether you’re looking to eat healthier, or shed a few unwanted pounds — instead of taking things off your plate, trying adding some.  No, I’m not talking about overeating or filling your plate high with food that it looks like a mountain.

Instead, what I mean is start ADDING some healthier foods to your overall diet.

When you start adding better foods to your diet the unhealthier foods start becoming less and less.  It’s called Crowding Out.  You start to crowd out the not-so-healthy foods for the healthier ones.  So instead of “giving up pizza” you ADD sweet potatoes to your diet. (and by diet I mean eating pattern).

Crowding out adds more to your diet rather than cutting back.

But just start this small shift.   It’s not just a shift of what’s on your plate — but it also is better for your mind.  Because like I mentioned in the beginning with the chocolate chip cookie, sometimes just the thought of having to give up something makes us want to have it.

And by slowing shifting the way you see healthy eating, the easier it will be to stay on the path.