If there’s one question that makes me cringe inside, it’s the one that awaits me at the end of every day.
What’s for dinner?
Ugh. Another reminder that I forgot to plan. Again.
It’s not like I don’t know it’s coming. We literally eat every day. So why does the task of putting together a plateful of meals feel like nails on the chalkboard of my food soul?
Why is meal planning so dang hard? Continue reading
Ever hear someone mutter healthy mumbo jumbo and it makes you cringe inside? Welcome to my top 10 pet peeves when it comes to health and nutrition. If you think these are healthy, think again.
Don’t fall for this popular nonsense. Take a look at these 10 misconceptions:
Natural is the same as organic. Not even close. “Natural” can still refer to minimal processed foods. Your “all-natural” blueberry yogurt does not guarantee it will have real blueberries in it. That mysterious “natural flavors” label might as well read “artificial chemicals for your flavor enjoyment”. Companies are getting smarter by using words like “all-natural” and “wholesome” for products that can still contain corn syrup, modified starches, and additives. Organic foods, on the other hand, have legal implications and must follow a set of strict processing, handling, and production standards determined by the USDA. These foods are generally free of pesticides, chemicals, and preservatives.
Rule of thumb: How do I know if the food I’m buying is organic? Look for the seal of approval.
Gluten-free is healthier for me. Only if you have a gluten intolerance. This one drives me nuts. I don’t get it. Unless you have celiac, an intolerance, or have been told by a medical professional to follow a gluten-free diet, don’t put yourself through that. Trust me, most of us who have to be gluten-free would rather eat gluten! Truth is, many gluten-free foods are still highly processed, loaded with starches, and low in nutritious value. Gluten-free foods can wreak just as much havoc on your system as eating gluten in the first place!
Rule of thumb: If you still enjoy the thought of being gluten-free, choose foods that are naturally gluten free (oats, buckwheat, rice, produce, etc.). Browse some gluten-free recipes here.
Superfood means super healthy. Superfood, shmuperfood. I don’t buy it. Contrary to popular opinion, Continue reading
If you’re still buzzing from sugar overload and feeling the irritable effect of one too many Christmas cookies, welcome to the club. Pants a little tight? Tired and fatigued? Headaches and mental fog? General feeling of yuck?
It’s not surprising that the gym is packed by the second day of January. Most of us are coming off a holiday high that has left us feeling miserable and desperate to get healthy. But working out isn’t going to do much good if your eating habits don’t change (more on that later).
Changing your eating habits can be difficult and frustrating, not to mention confusing. What’s more, each person has a different biochemical make up and what might work for one person may not work for you. For more on that, check out my post on When Healthy Food is Your Enemy.
While eating habits ought to be personally customized, there are still a few general rules you can follow.
But please.
Don’t just try any fad or detox out there.
Don’t just look for the quick fix. Just because it says “diet” does not mean it’s healthy. Not all diets are created equal. And not all of them are good for you. If it offers quick results without all the effort, it’s likely a sham.
Want to eat healthy this year? Not sure how to begin? Here are 5 basic guidelines to get you started on cleansing your cravings. Continue reading
Maybe you’ve seen these acronyms before. Or maybe like me, they have become a familiar part of your life. But what do they all have in common? How are these related? Here’s everything you wanted to know (or didn’t) about gut acronyms. Let’s start at the beginning…
