Healthy eating - easy to follow detox plan

Healthy eating can often be the most challenging aspect when you are embarking on a healthier lifestyle, not to mention the most daunting.

It is often assumed that to eat healthy means a. to only eat things like carrots and celery all day and b. that it is boring and limiting.

The truth is that I love food and allow myself the freedom to eat all the things I enjoy. When you are successful in obtaining healthier eating habits and it becomes exactly that, you don’t crave the foods you used to.

[disclaimer] I am not a dietician, the advice below is a general guideline, if you have more complex dietary requirements, I would advise seeking out a Registered Dietician]

Before we dive into establishing healthy eating patterns, lets first discuss what a healthy eating plan is not. I cringe whenever I hear “I have found the best diet” or even worse “I NEED to start dieting”. Those first 3 letters give me the impression that a D-I-E-t is not the best approach for you in the long run. The words that spring to mind whenever I think of a DIET are radical, fad, impossible, restricting and unrealistic. Why would you want to put yourself through all that?

A healthy eating plan should include all of the major nutrient categories, these include: carbohydrates, proteins and fats. They are called your macro nutrients, because they are required in the largest quantities.

Carbohydrates have come under a lot of fire recently with LCHF diets making huge waves in the industry. But carbohydrates are vital for energy levels and concentration. Carbohydrates are a fuel source for the body not to mention the additional benefits of eating carbohydrates for their vitamins and minerals. I believe it is not the carbohydrates we should be blaming for the rise in obesity but rather our own lack of control and portion sizes when it comes to carbohydrates. We are eating the wrong ones and in HUGE quantities.

Carbohydrates can be classified into two types. Calorie dense (sugary foods containing more calories than nutrients) and Nutrient dense (which are slow releasing sugars providing energy and nutrients, for less calories).

There are many industry experts advising against eating carbohydrates but in moderation and selecting of the correct carbohydrates there is no need to cut them out completely.

A quick guide on carbohydrates, choose brown, dense, unrefined options instead of white, highly processed options. i.e. sweet potato over white rice, butternut over pasta etc… and if you are trying to lose weight AVOID sweets and chocolates because it’s obvious that they are full of sugar.

Proteins are made up of branches of amino acids chained together. Proteins have a very special role in the functioning of our bodies. They provide the building blocks to sustain skin membranes, anti-aging, lean muscle mass and transport many other vital minerals in and around our bodies. When it comes to breakfast I am definitely the egg and bacon type. Eggs are my go to breakfast and I know I am going to have a good day if I eat them. Proteins are going to make you feel fuller for much longer than carbohydrates alone.

Which brings me to my next point. Fats can also be classified into good and bad fats. We need to be consuming the right ones. Fats have taken the blame for many health related issues when they are in fact a vital nutrient that we should be consuming daily. Try to avoid the saturated types found in butter and cream, and opt for healthier fats which are unsaturated in nature, these include avocados, seeds, nuts and pressed oils. Fats per gram provide us with a whopping 9kC of energy but unfortunately many of us are eating too many carbs and not training at the right threshold to burn them. When this happens we store them.

There are many other aspects that contribute to overall weight gain but by establishing healthier eating patterns, you are going to boost your metabolism and your mood. Prolong your life by eating necessary foods for growth and development and creating a happy environment in your body.

Start your healthy eating plan today and set healthy habits.

Comment below should you have any questions.

Yours in fitness, health and wellness