If your motto has always been “Eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow is another day”, maybe you need to modify it a bit. That’s particularly true if that other day has arrived and found you out of shape, overweight and in need of help for your health. It’s time to eat, drink and be fit, while also still being merry. You don’t have to give up everything you love and may even find things you love even more when you consume a diet of healthy food and drink.
Start with what you drink!
Most people hate me when I suggest they give up colas and soft drinks, but it can make a huge difference in your weight and in your health. Studies show that even drinking diet soft drinks can cause fat to build up around your waist. This fat, visceral fat, is the most dangerous type of fat because it crowds internal organs. It’s also the toughest to lose. Try switching to water or if you want to be elegant, try infused water. You can infuse flavor into water with berries and other fruit, herbs and even vegetables, such as cucumber. There are a number of recipes for it that taste delicious, but don’t add health risks or calories.
Start a meal or make a meal of a salad.
Want to upscale your meal and be in with the in crowd? Try salads using more exotic choices than iceberg lettuce, such as radicchio, arugula, kale or spinach. Toss in a few seeds or nuts and some Craisins for added sweetness. Mushrooms are a nice addition, so are mandarin orange slices or grapes. As you can tell, your salad can become quite exotic and delicious when you step out of the normal confines and eat healthier.
What’s for supper?
If finding out what’s for supper (lunch or breakfast) involves ready a menu at a fast food restaurant, it’s time to make a change. You’ll find loads of healthy recipes you can make at home and freeze so all you do is heat them when you’re ready to eat. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be part of everyone’s dinner and making sure you have a salad of leafy greens to start is important. You’ll be amazed at how good baked, broiled, grilled or boiled food can taste when it’s accented with healthy herbs.
- While most items on a fast food menu and many on a regular restaurant menu aren’t healthy or low in calories, some are. Find ones that are and sample them, like salads with baked chicken or baked fish.
- Get rid of processed foods, particularly those that contain added sugar. It’s the toughest part of eating healthy, but worth it. After a few weeks, you’ll really start to taste the sweetness of fresh fruit!
- Don’t ruin everyone’s good time by bemoaning you can’t eat the food, if you’re at a party that has all junk food. Just don’t overindulge. Find the healthiest food available. Even if there’s none, eating unhealthy food once in a while is still okay.
- You’ll be amazed at how good healthy food tastes and how much people love it when they actually get great food. I remember taking one of my favorite healthy dishes to a family dinner and everyone asking for the recipe. I didn’t tell anyone about its health benefits. Why spoil their enjoyment?
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