“You are what you eat” may be true after allJ
Step 1 to preparing a healthy meal, is to get a grasp on the foods that are good for you and those foods that must never EVER enter your shopping cart (unless of course it’s the free chocolate chip cookie, courtesy of Cub Foods…resting in the hands of your child).
Here are the Guidelines for Healthy “buying” for weight loss and weight maintenance:
-- Think Low Carb, NOT Low Calorie
-- “Low Fat” labels are RARELY the best choice
-- Good Fat, Burns Fat….so eat fat!
-- Sugar alternatives can keep you from losing weight.
1) Our body burns Carbohydrates before it starts burning fat.
If your daily menu is a constant mix of Bread, Pasta, Potatoes and baked goods…you are likely not losing any weight (potentially gaining) and you’re STARVING by 3pm (Glycemic Index..to be continued on another blog) With much smaller portions of carb the body gets to the “burning fat” process within your 24 hour eat cycle and…tada!!!!
2) “Low Fat” foods replace the Fat with sugars (carbs).
Low fat salad dressings, sauces and mixes are generally Jam packed with sugars/carbs. You may as well enjoy a candy bar for the amount of sugar you just poured onto your “healthy salad”. Just remember…It’s only as healthy as the food you put on it!
3) Good Fat Speeds up the fat burning process.
3) Good Fat Speeds up the fat burning process.
Apple a day keeping the Doctor away? Prove it! Avocado, green veggies, nuts, olive oil, low fat meats, berries, eggs with yolk, beans, whole grains (NOT whole wheat! A slice of bread turns into bad carbs like a bag of potato chips) and butter are all foods that your body needs to keep burning fat. Protein and Fiber keep you feeling full longer, without "crashing" and feeling hungry shortly after eating a plate of pasta. Your body doesn't have to work as hard to process these foods. (speaking of processed, ok save that for another blog.)
4) Artificial Sweeteners Give you the "free pass" to consume more of something you shouldn't have in the first place.
It's better for your body to consume what you wish WITH sugar and control how much you eat than to have the false sense of "good for you" using artificial sweeteners eating MORE of it and increasing your caloric intake as well. Your body (LIVER) works very hard to process the artificial sweeteners. Rule of thumb, chose sugar/eat less!
The recipes I will be sharing will strictly follow these 4 guidelines and help you create delicious meals that allow you to enjoy what you’re eating and give you the motivation to put back the big hallway mirror you took down after the holidays last yearJ
Happy Cooking, eating and dishwashing!
