Orange, Mint & Ginger Dressing
Given all of the information out there about diet and nutrition programs — high protein, low carb, no fat, full fat, gluten-free, vegan, restricted calorie, blood type, body shape, Keto — it can be confusing to sift through the details and determine what’s best. The answer? What’s best is what works for you. A long time ago I tried the Atkins diet of no to low carbs, high protein and a surprisingly high amount of allowed fat. Yes I began to lose a couple of pounds, but I could not tolerate the large amount of meat and lack of fruits and specific vegetables. It sort of ruined my love of fruit for quite awhile, as I’d feel guilty for eating an apple due to its sugar content. Diets that feature a particular food or food group are missing the point of variety: a good mix of foods ensures plenty of vitamins, minerals, fiber, taste and satisfaction! Full disclosure: I have struggled with a “diet mentality” for years and, although I wholeheartedly believe that moderation is key, I have found it difficult to do at times. So I continuously equip myself by reading articles from reputable sources, such as the Mayo Clinic. Here are some tips from its Web site:
Include a variety of foods from the major food groups of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein, including beans and other legumes, nuts and seeds.
Choose a plan that fits your lifestyle, tastes and budget. It makes no sense to follow the steak and lobster diet if you cannot afford it or go vegan if you truly cannot stomach lots of vegetables! For more articles about health and nutrition, check out Active Beat.
There may be other considerations depending on your personal health, so you may want to consult a doctor or dietician to get tailor-made advice just for you.
This is not rocket science and I don’t think there is actually a magic bullet that will make weight loss easy or temptation go away. It’s a matter of learning about the good, the bad and the ugly of different foods (pesticides, chemical additives, sugar, sodium, cholesterol, animal welfare, vegan or vegetarian options, etc.) and making a choice to live the healthiest life possible.
For more information, click HERE.
“What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.” Buddha
A common suggestion from motivational speakers is to integrate gratitude into your daily life. When everything is going smoothly, that is a heck of a lot easier to do than when it has all fallen apart. But it really does help to find the good when you’re standing in the ruins of a failed attempt or in that black hole of despair. It doesn’t have to be fancy or profound: are you breathing? Do you have food to eat and a place to sleep? Do you have a job, friends, family, beloved pets or supportive allies? Can you read and write, devise a plan for the future or at least get back up and try again? Can you hear the sounds of birds singing or see the blue sky? There are a whole lot of things to be grateful for because, like it or not, we haven’t been promised a rich, successful life. We have been given a life to do with as we please — and it’s up to us to make the most of it.