DAY TWO: Happy Meals
In this fast-paced, lose-weight-quick society, it's easy to get caught up in the latest fad diet and lose sense of what food is really meant to do: nourish and power the body.
We act as though food is our enemy. But every cell in our body demands a steady supply of energy to perform optimally -- and that energy comes from each piece of food we swallow. Without a nutritionally balanced diet, our bodies subsist on inadequate or inferior fuel. You really are what you eat, emotionally and physically, so why wouldn't you want to give yourself the best foods for your body?
Your assignment: Today you're going to learn how to bring your diet into better balance.
To get you started, here are some nutrition guidelines from our Energy Booster Diet and nutritionist Heidi McIndoo:
- A combination of carbs, protein and fat eaten at regular intervals will help keep energy levels high throughout the day:
- Choose whole grains and complex carbs over refined grains and sugars
- Eat healthy snacks every three to four hours to keep your blood sugar level stable
- Dehydration can cause fatigue and feelings of hunger; keep water handy and try to avoid caffeine, ultra-sugary sodas and sweetened beverages
- Eating fried or fatty foods can make you feel sluggish; opt for natural, unprocessed foods
- Eat plenty fruits and vegetables -- five to eight servings a day
- Increase your sources of protein with nuts, seeds, fish, beans and tofu
Today, follow our sample meal plan or create your own using the guidelines above. The most basic thing you can do towards eating better is to ask yourself at every meal, Is this food going to make me feel better or worse? Tonight, before you go to bed, think about how your body feels. Keep a food journal if you'd like to note any changes that occur in the coming weeks.
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