I know it is an old cliche but never a truer word was said and there is a reason everyone knows this old saying.
I decided to pay attention to it for the first time properly just a few months ago.
I have always been somewhat conscious of what I've eaten. Never a big takeaway eater, always the low fat version of things and, up until recently, the "diet" versions too.
What was I really putting inside my body though? What was I feeding my family?
I started reading information that was out there. I started reading the labels a little more.
Turns out low fat or "diet" often means lots of sugar/fructose or artificial sweeteners and flavours, none of which are good for you.
I decided to make a change.
I was going to adopt the idea of a truly natural way to nourish the body, eating only things that came from the ground or had a mother.
So I cleaned out my fridge, my pantry and my freezer.
Out went the prepackaged (and quite a lot of out of date things too!)
We replaced white rice with brown, pasta with wholemeal, white bread with wholegrain. Wholemeal flour instead of white, raw sugar instead of refined.
No more prepackaged sauces or meals in a jar. No more cordial or "juice", more water.
Fat free but natural pot set greek style yoghurt, instead of artificially sweetened "diet" yoghurt.
LOTS of fresh fruit and veg, herbs, lentils, fresh meat (as opposed to processed ham etc), nuts/seeds, beans...
Less preservatives and additives, less "numbers".
More REAL food.
For me, for my family this is something to live by, not just a fad or one month trial. Because of this there is a flexibility within this lifestyle choice. There is room for indulgences like easter eggs and birthdays etc because the are the exception, NOT the rule. The kids really only put up a fight when it came to the bread but I wasn't going back so neither were they - they have gotten used to it now ;)
If you are what you eat then I am very happy to be a more wholesome, REAL version of what I was before :) I have also found that with living and eating this way there comes a clear conscience, a clarified mindset and approach to life. It's amazing how much the wrong food choices can weigh you down mentally.
I have not done this as a way to lose weight but as a way to live a more authentically. If however, you are looking to shift some weight I highly recommend this. Quite simply if it's not there you can't eat it!!!!!!!!
Contrary to what some believe it is not more expensive to eat this way. It does, however take a little bit of planning. So you may be a slightly time poorer, but we are only talking minutes here and when dealing with your HEALTH and WELL BEING that is a small sacrifice.
I am no dietician and will not give you a plan to follow I am simply sharing with you my experience.
I HIGHLY recommend buying yourself a copy of Michelle Bridges Crunch time cook book, it is BRILLIANT! As is Jillian Michael's book Master Your Metabolism and the follow up, The Master Your Metabolsim Cookbook.
There are plenty more posts to come with my tips on how to use your nutrition to lose weight and fuel your fitness but I believe this sets you up on the right platform to nourish your body well and help you live more VIVIDLY!
Jen
xx
