No more getting caught up in counting calories, macros, or using a food scale? I just finished reading a very interesting article about “living the three elements of healthy diet.”
Healthy Diet Tip #1: What to Eat
The first leg of the journey is about knowing what to eat. I’m thinking if I don’t get this part right, the rest won’t work either. This same article said, “Our diets should include as little food as possible that has a face or a father.” So I’m guessing that means mostly plants, with a little dairy and meat, eaten judiciously? They say to eat as many colors as possible. Color variation ensures visual interest but also provides the diversity of vitamins and minerals our bodies need. What about snacks? Healthy only (fruits and vegetables), that’s the rule.
Healthy Diet Tip #2: How to Eat
Brains and tummies are not on a real-time communication system. So reaching for the next mouthful while still chewing is a no-go. Put down the utensil until the previous bite is chewed 20 times and swallowed! Ah yes, I remember this one, “mindful eating.” Concentrating on your current mouthful, chewing deliberately until your food is fully dispatched of size and texture, then swallowing appropriately. This gives your brain time to catch up with your belly and flips the “full” switch.
I love this quote:
Give yourself the time and opportunity to develop a slow and intimate relationship with your meal, treat it with the warmth and wonder you would a lover, or it will betray you one pants/dress size at a time.
Healthy Diet Tip #3: When to Eat
Eat early, eat frequently and eat well ahead of bed-time. I’ve read this instruction in many different diets, blogs, and articles. I know that eating early sets the bodies metabolism on-switch. Eating frequent meals tells the body not to worry about storing fat. And going to bed with a full stomach tells the body to store and keep the fat.
So there it is, the formula for eating healthy. But it is it really all that easy? It would be nice … but simple may not be so realistic. Are you still left counting calories? That’s a “yes” for me. No time to drop that food scale, either. But I think they are good concepts to add to my burgeoning pile of good concepts. Other than staying on the “plan,” I enjoy filling my filing box of motivation, tips, topics, and ideas to make this diet just a bit easier each day!