A Diet Makeover: 8 Simple Rules to Live by
Monday, 14 April 2008
By Karen Crawford, MS, RD, CSP
Are you looking to lose weight and be healthy, but do not want to go on a diet? I personally grow tired of hearing about all these great diets my friends are on, only to not hear any more about them four weeks later. I don’t mean to oversimplify things, but eating is simple-it just takes the desire to do so, a bit of will power, and a little organization. If you are more interested in your well-being than how great fast food French fries taste, then I would like to share something with you.
Below are the 8 rules I personally live by, and have so for years. This is not a diet: These are my commandments that keep my diet in a healthy direction.
The 8 healthy eating rules
- Organize: Plan your meals before they happen. Eat “in,” pack lunches and snacks, and make the commitment to eat right.
- Pantry Purge: Throw away all of the low-nutrient density foods (i.e., chips, cookies, crackers, candy) and restock with better options (whole wheat crackers, pretzels, whole wheat pastas, whole wheat breads, canned vegetables).
- Upgrade you carbohydrate choices : Choose sweet potatoes over white, whole grain or whole wheat over refined, and lentils and beans for something different.
These are not “diet” rules; these are rules that promote healthy eating. I think you will find that if these are applied, by default you will lose weight, have more energy, be more organized (as food will be less of an issue), and be very proud of yourself.
