The purpose of this blog is two-fold:
- To give myself a place to talk about my food-related adventures.
- To track my various athletic goals, including running and yoga.
My personal philosophy on food is that nothing should be off limits except things that are legitimately and/or wholly bad for you. In other words, all things in moderation, except things you shouldn’t be eating anyway. For example, cheese or chocolate are foods that many people try to cut out of their lives when they are trying to lose weight or be healthy. I happen to love both cheese and chocolate, and I have learned through years struggling with my weight that I really can’t deprive myself of foods I enjoy. So, I set out to establish a new mindset towards food. Instead of cutting out entire groups of food, I now limit myself to measured (and appropriate) portion sizes, as well as all-natural and organic foods.
There are things floating around in the great American grocery store that no one should be eating, in my humble opinion. I’ve made it my personal mission to avoid these things.
- High fructose corn syrup – this stuff is inflammation waiting to happen. Research has shown that eating HFCS (as it is referred to on the blog) is related to all sorts of negative impacts on the body. When I have more time, I’ll post links to said research here. I consume only natural sugars, honey, agave, or stevia.
- Trans fat – I personally get grossed out at the thought of Crisco going into my arteries the way it comes out of the can, and staying that way. Instead of trans fats, I eat real butter, olive oil, coconut oil, and other healthy fats. In addition to having trans fat in it, I find margarine just plain unsatisfying. So, if I am eating something on which I’d like the flavor of butter, I’m going to measure myself out a teaspoon of real butter, count the WW points, and enjoy it.
- Artificial flavors or colors – I don’t know what research there is regarding artificial stuff in food, but the idea of food made from stuff that isn’t actually food creeps me out. So, I buy as much unprocessed food as I can. If I must buy something processed, I read the labels and try to find a brand with only natural ingredients.
- Artificial sweeteners – Again, the idea of anything artificial in my food creeps me out. Plus, artificial sweeteners of all types have always made my stomach upset and put a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t know why this is, but I am really sensitive to them all, even Splenda. My policy on sweeteners is the same as my policy on butter: if I really, really need to have a sweetener, I will use a real, natural source, count the points, and enjoy it.
Part of my process for a healthy lifestyle is re-educating my brain, and training myself to seek good, nutritionally-sound foods instead of the sugars, fats, and salts we’re used to eating. That has been the hardest part of losing the weight. For me, every life event is expressed in food, and usually that food is heavy on cheese, fat, sugar, or carbs. But now, I have begun seeking other types of food without even realizing it. Don’t get me wrong–I still crave cheese croissants, pizza, and whoopie pies. But now I am better able to find a healthier version or something altogether different to substitute, and every time I feel better afterward for having done so. Losing weight and being healthy is as much a mind game as it is a body game. That’s what keeps it interesting!
*please note that I am not a nutritionist, a dietitian, a doctor, or anyone else official. The contents of this blog pertain to my experience only. If you are considering changing your lifestyle or diet, make sure to visit your healthcare provider first to get the green light from them.
