A little about me - and how I've stayed healthy into my fifties
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My passion for healthy eating began over four decades ago, when I noticed my first teenage blemish. Yes, my significant life change was all due to a pimple! I stopped eating junk food and ate mostly nuts, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, and fish. After a while, not only was I feeling great, but I was loving what I was eating — and my skin was glowing!
When I had children, I was horrified at the fake food they were exposed to and set out to find healthier versions. This task was challenging, as they were being bombarded with commercials enticing them to eat a variety of sugary, artificially flavored, trans-fat-laden "fun" food. Ugh! The other hindrance was the deluge of information from numerous "experts" who seldom agreed with each other. I made some errors, like pushing processed soy dogs on my poor kids, but I'm happy to say that REAL food prevailed, and we ditched the dogs! |
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Now into my fifties, I believe those dietary changes are the reason I don't have the health issues I see around me. Apart from the odd menopausal hot flash or two, I'm feeling great.
So what can you do to improve your eating habits: should you be vegan; is Keto calling, or is Paleo the way to go? Well, the answer is there is no definitive answer! Diet (as in what we eat - not a temporary fix) isn't a "one size fits all" science: what works for one person, can leave someone else feeling ghastly.
The key is to eat what you enjoy - in its healthiest form. When deciding what to eat, think "real" and "whole." Eat a piece of fruit instead of drinking fruit juice (which is missing essential fiber) and look for 100% whole grains when eating bread or pasta. Egg yolks contain many nutrients (including hard to find vitamin D), so you'll be missing out on this if you only eat the egg white.
If you enjoy dairy (and it agrees with you), the latest studies show that whole milk may actually be better for you than the skimmed down versions. And organic milk really is better for you than conventional milk: among other things, it has significantly more omega 3's (which makes for a healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.) I'd also encourage you to look for pasture-raised, grass-fed, and/or humanely-raised labels whenever possible. However, if milk is off the menu, you can get your daily dose of calcium from other whole foods like almonds, chia seeds, white beans, and kale.
All vegetables are good for you, so eat the ones you like and don't worry about what's a "superfood" right now - it's going to be a different one tomorrow! If you're avoiding gluten, there are numerous naturally gluten-free products to choose from without resorting to highly processed, less healthy packaged goods. Real food like fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, poultry, and seafood don't contain gluten. And if you aren't sensitive to gluten, you may want to ask yourself why you've banished it from your diet. 100% whole grain products can be very nutritious, and studies have shown that some gluten-free alternatives are less healthy than their regular versions. I had a good friend who was convinced that the words "gluten-free" were synonymous with healthy - and folks, that just ain't so!
If you're looking for a lifestyle that's stood the test of time for being healthy, I'd recommend going the Mediterranean way. The focus is on vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and whole grains. And depending on what you like (and likes you back), add in moderate amounts of fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy. Occasional (grass-fed) red meat is also okay. This is a way of life - so savor your food. And if you enjoy wine, have a glass of that too!
There is one golden rule for healthy eating - and that is to consume a VARIETY of nutritious foods. Too much of anything isn't good for you.
I wish you luck on your journey to better health and happiness, and please contact me with any questions or comments you may have. Also, don't forget to check out my book "Forget the Fad and Eat the Food," which is a quick and easy read. You can take a peep at it here.
So what can you do to improve your eating habits: should you be vegan; is Keto calling, or is Paleo the way to go? Well, the answer is there is no definitive answer! Diet (as in what we eat - not a temporary fix) isn't a "one size fits all" science: what works for one person, can leave someone else feeling ghastly.
The key is to eat what you enjoy - in its healthiest form. When deciding what to eat, think "real" and "whole." Eat a piece of fruit instead of drinking fruit juice (which is missing essential fiber) and look for 100% whole grains when eating bread or pasta. Egg yolks contain many nutrients (including hard to find vitamin D), so you'll be missing out on this if you only eat the egg white.
If you enjoy dairy (and it agrees with you), the latest studies show that whole milk may actually be better for you than the skimmed down versions. And organic milk really is better for you than conventional milk: among other things, it has significantly more omega 3's (which makes for a healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.) I'd also encourage you to look for pasture-raised, grass-fed, and/or humanely-raised labels whenever possible. However, if milk is off the menu, you can get your daily dose of calcium from other whole foods like almonds, chia seeds, white beans, and kale.
All vegetables are good for you, so eat the ones you like and don't worry about what's a "superfood" right now - it's going to be a different one tomorrow! If you're avoiding gluten, there are numerous naturally gluten-free products to choose from without resorting to highly processed, less healthy packaged goods. Real food like fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, poultry, and seafood don't contain gluten. And if you aren't sensitive to gluten, you may want to ask yourself why you've banished it from your diet. 100% whole grain products can be very nutritious, and studies have shown that some gluten-free alternatives are less healthy than their regular versions. I had a good friend who was convinced that the words "gluten-free" were synonymous with healthy - and folks, that just ain't so!
If you're looking for a lifestyle that's stood the test of time for being healthy, I'd recommend going the Mediterranean way. The focus is on vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and whole grains. And depending on what you like (and likes you back), add in moderate amounts of fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy. Occasional (grass-fed) red meat is also okay. This is a way of life - so savor your food. And if you enjoy wine, have a glass of that too!
There is one golden rule for healthy eating - and that is to consume a VARIETY of nutritious foods. Too much of anything isn't good for you.
I wish you luck on your journey to better health and happiness, and please contact me with any questions or comments you may have. Also, don't forget to check out my book "Forget the Fad and Eat the Food," which is a quick and easy read. You can take a peep at it here.
