Wouldn’t you like to eat nourishing meals, which are satisfying and healthy, and that
provide you with abundant energy and strength? Have you ever contemplated
becoming vegetarian/ vegan or simply eating less meat, dairy products, sugary food,
and white enriched bread and pasta? It seems like a daunting task to eliminate so many
of your favorite foods, even if they are blatantly not healthy. Do you wake up feeling
sluggish and lacking energy? Consider this: the food you eat affects how you feel every
single day. It can cause low energy levels and sluggish thinking (brain fog).
Some people decide that the only way to feel better and eat better is to become
vegetarian or vegan. You see more and more vegan/vegetarian selections on regular
menus. Vegetarian meals have become mainstream. My approach to health is to
improve your diet incrementally. Even if you find it impossible to give up meat
altogether, you can integrate two to three vegetarian/vegan meals to your diet each week.
According to the author, Annemarie Colbin, Food and Your Health, “try integrating whole
foods, fresh, natural (not frozen or canned), less fat and cholesterol, less or no white
sugar, less or no dairy”. It’s important to know what not to eat, but also what to eat. She
writes that “to manage your mood and remain alert, eat fish, salad, and vegetables (no
bread or pasta). Ms. Colbin states that “Eating sugar, especially on a low protein diet,
will make you tired in the morning. Eating carbohydrates will relax you so know the best
time to avoid them. Eating late at night is not as good as it makes you tired. Make sure
you have two to three hours without eating before you go to sleep.”
The best way to improve your diet is to take a walk down the “organic, natural” aisles of
the grocery store. Pick up a few products that look good or may not look so good and
read the labels. Changing your diet is a process and it takes time to shop. By the way,
eating nourishing meals will enhance your work-outs and not bog you down with empty
calories!
Natural Food Tips:
● Add a plethora of fresh vegetables and fruit to your cart. Try a different
vegetable each week. Steam, saute or roast vegetables for variety and keep
your meals interesting. Veggie burgers vary in taste so try different varieties until
you find the one you like. That’s a great meat substitute.
● Vegetable and bean soups make a great meal. Beans are a good source of
protein with no cholesterol. This can be paired with whole grains; brown rice,
quinoa, buckwheat, millet, etc.
● Try making cauliflower crust pizza. You can add any vegetable, shredded
cheese (regular or vegan cheese), pizza sauce for the topping and olive oil to the
crust. Purchase the cauliflower crust in the refrigerated section of the store. It’s a
creative, healthy and delicious “vegetarian/vegan” meal — totally satisfying.
● Make a natural food shopping list to take to the store. Be sure to include: olive
oil, almond, soy, rice, cashew or coconut milk, multi-grain bread, high fiber
cereal, rolled oats, walnuts, almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries are the best anti-oxidants. They are also
great to use in a smoothie!
● Don’t forget green leafy vegetables, in addition to Brussels sprouts, asparagus and
cauliflower. Please add anything else I missed.
Remember to exercise 5-7 times per week without fail! Adding a couple of vegetarian
meals and improving your diet may help you climb to a new level of fitness, a healthy
lifestyle. Start today!
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