I don’t know if it is due to the fact that I have kids who start school after Labor Day or perhaps it is my Jewish roots, but September always seems like the new year to me. September brings winds of change in so many ways, and for me it always holds the promise of positive change. It is a new beginning, a chance to re-invent ourselves or the way we live our lives. At the Optimal Kitchen it is no surprise that our focus is on positive changes to the way we eat, so let us sow the seeds of change in your nutrition life.
Summer can be a challenge, especially for those of us living in summer tourist destinations. The temptations are endless, whether it is ice cream, fried clams or a burger on the grill. Here on Cape Cod, summer is an endless party so adhering to a healthy nutrition lifestyle is even more daunting. But it is September and the party is over and now its time to think about some positive changes.
When looking to make changes in how we eat, it is human nature to start with an extreme, such as no wheat, sugar or dairy. As great as it is for you to give these things up, the realist in me informs us that it is not the most realistic option. Instead aim to give up just one of these items, or try to give up all 3 during the week but allow for some indulgences on the weekend. Remember balance is key to sustainability, and this can be a delicate dance to find what works for you.
So hear is a list of suggestions, all quite simple changes in your lifestyle that will help get you on a better path. They are not groundbreaking and there is no magic elixir or pill, but if you start applying some of these simple changes you may find yourself feeling great and slimmer by the Holiday season.
1)Eat more plants, aim everyday to have 6 fist size servings of vegetables and 3 fruit, if you do this you simply have no room for many other foods
2)Try to avoid all meat and dairy at least 3 times a week. No doubt you have seen recent articles touting a vegan lifestyle , however I realize this can be extreme for some so instead try to be vegan at least 3 days a week or try the Michael Pollan trick, vegan until 6pm
3) Avoid white sugar, there is nothing anyone can say to make me think white sugar is ok. It is amazing how Molasses, which is what sugar is refined from, is so full of nutrients, such as potassium, that gets completely stripped away during the refining process. Sugar leads to all sorts of unhealthy outcomes, diabetes and the proliferation of malignant cells being the 2 major reasons to avoid white sugar.
4)Eat carbohydrates at lunch. Carbs are fuel and if you are active you need these foods in your diet, in fact, I don’t like anyone to isolate out an entire food group unless you have allergies or another medical condition. However eating carbs late in the day when you are less active leads to higher resting blood sugars and possible weight gain. Eating these foods at lunchtime and doing something active in the afternoon, taking a walk or yoga class for example uses up that excess blood sugar.
Start here with these 4 simple changes and you might just be amazed to see the changes that start to emerge!!!!!!
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