Your Body’s Best Diet
There are lots of diet plans out there. Many are formulated only to drop pounds, without taking into account how to also nourish your body. Here are 5 key tips to help you eat in a way that will fuel and satisfy your body for maximum results. When you give your body what it needs and stop overloading it with the wrong foods, you will lose weight!
1. Devour your Veggies!
You can’t go wrong with vegetables! Load up your grocery cart and your plate with plenty of different vegetables to provide key nutrition and help to fill you up. Starchy vegetables (like potatoes, corn, pumpkin and peas) should be eaten in moderation. In general, the non-starchy vegetables are usually leafy and flowering parts of the plant. These include lettuce, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers and tomatoes. You can eat these raw or cooked, and have as much as you want! Season with fresh herbs and infused olive oil to add pizazz.
2. Push Protein!
Protein is an essential nutrient and will help to provide satiety, keeping you feeling full for longer. The recommended amount of protein per day is 10% to 35% of total calories. That’s about 46 grams of protein for women, and 56 grams of protein for men. Looking for an easy and delicious way to get your protein power? Try our savory and crunchy Crax™ with 15 grams of protein per serving.
3. Fill up on Fats!
Don’t be afraid of fats. We have become conditioned to think of fat as a bad thing, but healthy fats are a key part of a balanced diet. And when you include healthy fats in your diet, you will feel more satisfied. Avocado, olive oil, salmon, and Greek yogurt are sources of good fats. We love sautéing our vegetables in coconut oil to add a mild flavor and add some healthy fats. A study has shown that eating fresh vegetables with a little fat helps the body absorb valuable nutrients.
4. Kill the Carbs!
Some of the easiest and most convenient foods are carbohydrates, so it is no wonder that we eat so many of them. From bagels, toast and cereal at breakfast to potatoes, rice, and pasta at dinner, we are overloading on carbohydrates. Cut out simple carbs, like white rice, bread, cereal and pasta and try more healthful complex carbs, such as quinoa, brown rice, legumes, and whole oats.
5. Stop the Sugar!
Sugar is everywhere! You may not be eating cake and cookies, but there are sugars in fruit, dairy, bread, cereal, juice, and sauces. Your body needs a type of sugar (glucose) to function, but we get all the glucose we need from healthy carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. The body does not need any added sugar. Pay close attention to labels and limit your added sugar intake. Sugar is highly addictive so don’t be surprised if you find yourself craving it. But that is just a sign of dependence, not of need. Once you cut down on your sugar intake, you will stop experiencing the highs and lows of a sugar cycle.