Take a minute and think about what you last put in your mouth. Was it something healthy or was it junk food, processed food, or chemicalized food that is found in every grocery store in America? Are you proud of your general style of eating? Does your approach to eating need to be tweaked? If so, you are so not alone!
Even small or subtle changes continued over the long haul can produce results, such as smaller waists, and lower numbers on the scale, when maintained overtime. For example, just saying no to all carbonated beverages, all sugary drinks, all fruit juices, as well as, artificially sweetened beverages, including caffeinated beverages, can make a big difference in your general well being. Remember losing just a small percentage of your weight can change your risk for diabetes. It just might be worth it to consider a few areas that you might be willing to make a change.
Do you spend that little bit extra to purchase and eat mostly organic foods, or do you buy foods that are massed produced, by big agriculture, using heavy pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?
While we are on this subject, choosing organic grass fed beef, free range chicken and wild caught fish are all better choices nutritionally for you and your family. Why not take the leap?
Regarding fruits and vegetables, eating locally and in season, wherever you live, is probably healthier than eating bananas from Ecuador in January! Get to know your local farmer and ask him or her questions about what their pesticide and growing practices are.
Are you still consuming corn and soy or have you tried to, not only not purchase these items, but also avoid any foods containing corn and soy? I know, it is a chore! Corn is in everything!
Have you begun to grapple with issues associated from drinking cow’s milk and eating cheese and yogurt made from cow’s milk? Do you realize that it takes a several cups of milk to create a small piece of cheese? According to T Colin Campbell, consuming dairy is highly linked to higher risk for developing cancer.
There are other choices. You can eat nut milk, such as almond milk, or coconut milk. For those of you who may be allergic to nuts, there is also oat milk, hemp milk, or rice milk. These choices will help you avoid the hormones that cow’s are given to perpetually produce milk, not to mention the hormones in their bodies, which are passed on in their milk, designed to help their baby calf, become a grown cow in one years time. I am quite sure you do not want to “grow” that fast!
Chances are you are like so many Americans, who are on the Standard American Diet (SAD). We like fast and easy. We are American right? Well fast and easy comes at a cost! Did you know there is a new movement out there referred to as “slow cooking”? Well there is.
When you take the time to purchase your own organic food locally and make food in your own kitchen, you have more control over what goes into the food, you consume. When you go through a drive thru or pick up something quick, at the grocery store, to heat up and wolf down, you give up those rights and then some.
Be vigilant about reading the labels on the foods you buy! When you don’t know what something is, chances are it’s no good for you.
Are you eating typical fare found in our restaurants and grocery stores and consequently suffering from any one of a whole host of health problems, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypoglycemia, osteoarthritis, osteopenia, Alzheimer’s disease, celiac disease or gluten sensitivity? Wake up and do something about your plight. You don’t have to live like this.
You can improve your current health by making new choices and feeding your body in a healthier way. First, you will have to do some research and choose what regimen is best for you. Second, you will need to clean out your pantry and prepare to embark on your new program. Third, hire a wellness coach to support you through your journey. Fourth, write down why you are doing this. Knowing your why will help you, when the going gets tough! Fifth, make a change, and then make it a habit. Sixth, chart your progress. This can be very inspiring!
Best of luck, if you take the bait, and decide to improve your wellness one forkful/spoonful at a time!
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC
The Wellness Coach at Building Better Bodies Rocks
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
A Single Mom By Choice Raising Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Hts, Ohio
Leap Into Action!