Mindful and Nutritious Eating

Here’s my philosophy on eating healthfully.

Choices

Eat whole foods as close as possible to their natural state.

Eat a wide range of vegetables and fruit.

Eat organic or locally grown produce when in season and when possible.

Eat 100% whole grains.

Choose animal products that are leaner cuts or lower in saturated fats. Choose organic when possible.

Minimize added sugar, especially corn syrup and it’s variations.

Minimize foods high in saturated fat and trans fat.

Minimize processed foods.

Minimize eating from fast food outlets.

Minimize artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors, and chemicals and preservatives derived from petroleum products.

Make a natural whole food approach as much as possible then compliment it with wise decision making on everything else.

Mindfulness – a few tips to get you started

Use plates 8 inches in diameter.

Use tall and thin glasses.

First fill your plate with 50% vegetables, salad, or fruit.

Become very conscious of how your choices impact your well being.

Learn to read nutrition labels.

Understand marketing and how it’s designed to sell you a product, not necessarily to make you healthy.

Is this all realistic? Yes, I live it myself.

I do understand that strict adherence is not likely. In fact I wouldn’t even recommend it. These tips do not constitute a “diet”. They are a way to eat healthfully that you can apply to the reality that is your unique life. That’s why I say minimize and not eliminate. How you frame your eating experience and what you tell yourself each step along the way is as important as what you actually choose to eat.

I understand that in today’s world choosing a specifically labeled “diet” and sticking to it is virtually impossible in the long run. I believe that this is especially true if that “diet” calls for eliminating or restricting foods that you might love as this will lead to craving, temptation, several external influences, and ultimately failure.

Framed properly and supported  right, keeping certain foods such as sweets as a part of your healthful eating will enable you to stay on track forever.

There has been a ton of research on diet and healthy eating. Each of my tips above is consistent with recommendations of Registered Dietitians and research concluding they will help you release weight and make it stick, and help prevent heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, some cancers, and other lifestyle related illnesses.

Embrace and enjoy all the food you love in your life. Just do so in a manner that supports your Thriving Health goals, now and for the rest of your life.

To your health,

Brent