An Easy Way to Keep Your Waistline & Health In Check
by Dinneen
Filed under Blog, Nutrition, Weight Loss
Want to cut down on calories to shed a few pounds? Concerned about high blood pressure, diabetes, or some other condition? Or do you just want good nutrition for an overall happier, healthier and more vibrant life?
Well there’s one surefire way to keep all of those things easily in check — cook at home!
When it comes to healthy eating, you just can’t beat your own kitchen. In fact, I’ll guarantee that the more you cook at home, the healthier you will be. Hands down, it’s the best and easiest way to be healthier and keep your waistline in check!
The culture of the kitchen contains more wisdom about diet and health than you are apt to find in any nutrition journal, health book, or the latest diet best-seller.
Cooking at home is truly the best way to control what foods go into your body. You and your family will eat healthier, have more energy, and be more connected to the food you eat – and to each other.
Here are some basic, yet important strategies when cooking at home:
Keep it Fresh
Have fresh produce on hand. Eating real foods on hand is imperative to maintaining a healthy diet. (And by “diet” I mean what it’s supposed to mean: the foods you eat — not the latest fad to drop 10 pounds in one week!) If junk food isn’t there when you’re hungry, it’s unlikely you’re going to go much out of your way to get it. Keep vegetables, fruits, and nuts on hand and ready to eat.
Don’t Let Boredom Sneak In
As far as not getting bored, well that’s quite easy: constantly try new recipes. We often cook and eat the same foods over and over again. It’s natural. We know what foods we like, we know how to cook them, and are often afraid to try something new. But you’ve got to be a bit adventurous from time to time.
Try eating new things, try new recipes and new ways of preparing food. Sure there will be times when it doesn’t come out great, but that’s the magic of cooking. It’s trial and error. And when you make something new that tastes really good, you’ll be so happy you made that little effort.
Even Healthy Eaters Miss Vital Nutrients
Here’s another reason to try new recipes and foods: We often eat the same foods over and over again. We have a handful of recipes in our “box” and that’s it. But over time your body is going to miss out on some vital nutrients. Even if you already eat healthy, you should be trying new foods to make sure you get a “well-rounded” amount of vitamins and nutrients
One of the great things about food is the variety we’re offered. Nature has provided us with an abundance of good and essential nutrients and gave us enough variety so as not to get bored.
Once a week, every second week, or even just once a month, try a new recipe. You’ll be surprised how even food you already love can taste better or have a different flavor. After all, variety is the spice of life!
So instead of looking outside for the ‘next best thing’ to help you lose weight and be healthy, just take a step inside your own kitchen and start cooking more. It’s truly a major key to being healthy and staying slim. And it shouldn’t be kept a secret.
How to Eat Right and Still Enjoy the Holidays
by Dinneen
Filed under Blog, Weight Loss
There are so many temptations during the holiday season it’s no wonder many of us get stressed over how to get through it all while still being able to fit into our jeans come January 1st.
As someone who loves food, giving up great food during the holidays for me isn’t an option. And it shouldn’t be for you either.
So here are a few ways to bring pleasure — not the pounds — to the holiday festivities:
1) Aim to maintain. I recently heard about someone who skipped her friends holiday party because she was dieting and thought there would be too many tempting foods. To me that’s unfortunate and not so healthy. Instead of trying to completely overhaul your diet and lose weight during the holidays, try to maintain your current weight.
And if you really do want to lose weight, be realistic about just how much you can lose and don’t beat yourself for having a few treats.
2) Don’t completely deny yourself of holiday foods. This time of year is all about celebration and festivity, and food is an integral part of that. When you tell yourself you can’t have certain foods, you want them even more (studies even prove this). That’s when overeating, bingeing and feeling out of control becomes part of your holiday experience. So eat the holiday foods you enjoy, just don’t over-do it.
3) Eat three square meals a day, just like you should do all-year-round. It might make sense on paper to cut calories by skipping meals during the day when you know you’re going to a holiday party or dinner later. But this strategy almost always backfires and leads to overeating, low energy, guilt, and generally feeling bad.
So take the time to have a decent breakfast that will help you feel full and keep your energy up.
4) Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. No matter what you eat, enjoy it. I’d rather see someone take a piece of cake and truly savor and enjoy it, than someone eating a salad and hating every minute of it, or wishing they were eating the cake instead.
5) Keep liquid calories in check. Oftentimes holiday drinks like eggnog are loaded with calories, sugar and fat. So beware. Also, best to limit all alcohol to one or two drinks. It not only adds extra calories, but after a few drinks its way to easy to reach for more food — even if you’re full. Often I’ll alternate between water and alcohol. This not only helps me cut down on alcoholic beverages, but keeps me hydrated so I don’t get a headache the next day!
6) Just say know to the junk food. Don’t blow your calories on things like chips or a candy bar. Instead, save your snack allowance for a decadent dish or your favorite dessert that will make you feel more satisfied. There are so many good treats around this time of year, best to have a small piece of something really good than the normal crappy, junk food!
7) Add exercise whenever and wherever you can. I try to maintain my exercise routine, but realize it can get hard when things get busy. But even if you can fit it one or two short sessions a week, that’s good. It will not only help you handle the stress of the busy season better, but it will keep you feeling fit and less likely to over-indulge later on at the party.
8) Share the joy of the food. Often I’ll take a piece of cake, have a few bites, and then give the rest to my husband. And if he doesn’t want it I’ll just push it aside. And if you love to bake (like I do!) give some away to friends and neighbors. I enjoy baking cookies, but I can only eat so many without putting on the pounds. So I’ll often share it with others, and they’re really happy!
So make this holiday season one of pleasure and one you remember for the good times with family and friends. Relax, enjoy yourself, and eat in moderation so you don’t have to forgo all the delicious holiday treats.
.
