You Are What You Eat
4 Mar
I grabbed a banana and bottle of water and flew out the door just after 6 a.m. this morning. I stopped in at the nearby Starbucks and got a coffee (not latte) and small vanilla yogurt. By the time I finished my first project at my client’s office all my edibles were gone. By 10:30 a.m. my stomach was growling and I was officially starved. I was meeting my girlfriend at Cactus Club for lunch so I stopped myself from going to the cafeteria on the main floor of the office tower and devouring a gooey chocolate chip muffin.
By the time I got to the restaurant my hunger had made me absolutely irrational. My favorite meal at Cactus Club is the spinach salad but I couldn’t stop thinking about “CARBS” and before I could stop myself I ordered “I’d like the burger and fries please.” Salivating… I devoured the entire sandwich… “Oink oink!! “
As I walked back to the office I tried to answer as many emails as possible from my blackberry and I could feel my stomach starting to gurgle; I felt nauseous. “Why didn’t I order a salad, I’m such an idiot” I cursed myself, knowing I would feel lethargic and fat (aka full) the rest of the day. If I’d prepared my meals ahead of time and had an apple and almonds or a protein shake as a mid morning snack I could have avoided my binge fest. Eating 5-6 small meals a day helps curb your cravings for unhealthy foods as well as boosts your metabolism; basically it helps you make healthier food choice since your body is never undernourished. I’ve provided the basic principals you should try to follow:
- Eat 5-6 times a day, every 2-3 hours
- Always combine lean protein and complex carbs
- Water water water and more water
- Never skip a meal, especially breakfast
Helpful tips
- Prepare and plan meals for the day (or week)
- Avoid processed & refined foods as well as white flour & sugary foods
- Avoid alcohol – well at least try
- Shop on the outside perimeters of the grocery store; avoid the isles as much as possible. My rule – if it’s canned, boxed or air sealed stay away
- Stick to proper portion sizes
- 1 portion of lean protein – the size of your palm
- 1 portion of complex carbs from whole wheat – size of a tennis ball
- I portion of complex carbs from fruits or vegetables - 1 handful
When I first read the book The Eat-Clean Diet by Tosca Reno a few years ago I followed it religiously. I instantly notice an increase in my energy levels and I lost weight quicker than on any other plan I’ve been on. Although my life is busy, hectic and filled with social engagements I try my best to keep to these principals; because Eat-Clean is not a diet, it’s a healthy way of life.
PT Girl xo
I love the Eat Clean philosophy. It may take a little extra time to plan and pack foods, but it is so worth it in the end. I function so much better eating every 3-4 hours. I know that nagging, starving feeling and I hate it. It always leads me to make “questionable” choices too.
We’re human.. so we’re going to make questionable choices sometimes. I try to not beat myself up and just get back to healthy eating as quickly as possible.
It happens to all of us! And it’s one of those things that you learn from.
I’m a freak about packing extra food with me for the day. That’s the one great thing about winter in Wisconsin, food can keep in the car better than it does in the summer!
Great tips that you’ve blogged here!
Those are very good tips! I’ve been eating way healthier since January and I can’t believe the difference it’s made in my mood, my energy level and my running.