Healthy Food Tastes Better!

How is it that we can't seem to think that something nutritious and healthy could in fact be tasty and enjoyable? Ever since I started to eat healthy food I have discovered new tastes, new flavours and new favourites. I do it almost daily. When I stopped looking at meat as the main ingredient of a meal I found a hundred new ways to prepare a good meal. I did not exclude meat completely, only the kinds that contain saturated fat. I continued to eat chicken, turkey and fish. (Chicken has its fat in the skin, so you can cut it off.) I eat vegetarian dishes at least three days a week, and the veg food has become my favourite food. Why? Because it tastes so good and the food is so easy to vary. I can't think of a life without it anymore. It would be a poor life. This food is a treasury and it has given me energy and strength that I did not have before.

The benefits are plenty. You will feel spry and lively again. You will lose weight. You will strengthen your immune system and stay well longer. You will lower your blood pressure. I could go on.

I am a notorious tea drinker, and I loved all kinds of black teas. The taste of green tea didn't appeal to me, I found it bitter. But I discovered several kinds of green tea that I have learned to enjoy and I now drink it every day. It's actually become "my cup of tea".

This is what I would suggest that you do if you want to improve your eating habits:

? Reduce the fat, especially the saturated fat, which is mostly found in meat and dairy products. Exchange the butter and margarine with extra-virgin olive oil. Avoid oils with high percentage of saturated and polyunsaturated fat. Use oils which contain mostly monounsaturated fat. Using the right kinds of fat (with moderation) is more important than reducing the fat in general. Instead of milk you may want to drink yogurt (containing live cultures) which is better for the stomach.
? Eat fish at least twice a week. If you don't like fish, make sure you get enough of the omega-3 fatty acids. One way to do this is by eating flax seed.
? Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, cereals and whole grain.
? Make the vegetables the main part of the meal. Rice, pasta, potatoes or couscous and beans are priority number two. Eat fish, chicken or a small slice of meat with it if you like, but it is not necessary. You will feel better if you exclude the meat and spare yourself the saturated fat.
? Eat soy products regularly (e.g. tofu, tempeh, and miso, or vegetarian beefs made of soy beans). There have been discussions about soy and its health risks, but the benefits seem to be greater than these supposed risks.
? Drink water with every meal and in between meals. You can't get enough of water.
? Use fresh ginger (the root) and garlic in your cooking. Goes well with nearly everything.
? Use fresh and dried herbs in all cooking.
? Reduce the coffee. Preferably switch to green tea. If you drink black tea, replace it partly or completely with green tea.
? Reduce the sugar. Don't use artificial sweeteners. They are not healthier. There is no evidence to suggest that using artificial sweeteners would help you lose weight. Pure sugar is OK (raw sugar is slightly better than white), just use it with moderation. Read package labels for information about sweeteners and other additives.
? Take some vitamin and mineral supplement every day.
? Sweets should be consumed with moderation. Only a few small sweets in the weekend. Dark chocolate is good (but still with moderation because of the sugar). Nuts can be an alternative to sweets (still with moderation).
? Alcohol should be used with moderation if at all. A glass of wine on Saturday evening does no harm if you are not oversensitive.
? Choose ecologically or organically grown products whenever possible.
? Try a day of fasting from time to time to rinse your system. Drink only fruit juices, water and green tea that day.

This plan will lead to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. It will make you lose weight without having to be hungry. Take one step at a time. A small change can make a big difference. You will be rewarded if you are determined to really try.

When you follow the advice above you will not need much meat. Protein can be added through beans, soy and seeds for instance. If you exclude the dairy products or some of them, make sure you get enough calcium through for instance calcium fortified soy milk and orange juice, and through green vegetables. If you exclude meat completely, be sure to get enough vitamin B12 from fortified soy milks or cereals or by taking a supplement.

Of course, you can have that little special treat now and then. The idea is to enjoy and have fun! If you feel like a prisoner you will not enjoy your new habits. But remember, if special treats come too often, they are not special treats anymore.

Ingela Berger started her own Internet business Lifestyle Plans in 2003 out of a desire to inspire and encourage others to make reality of their dreams of a personal, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. Ingela has studied theatre directing, history of art, and leadership psychology. After some years working with art exhibitions and the theatre she is now back at school to become a health and lifestyle consultant.

---

Why Digestive Enzymes Are Vital To Good Health!

Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More

Eating Instinctively

I start from the premise that eating instinctively means eating... Read More

Learn About Food Nutrition Facts

Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More

Antioxidants and Your Health

Get back to the basics - eat fresh at home... Read More

An Apple a Day, Does Keep the Doctor Away

Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to:... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every... Read More

Surrender To The Spell Of The Pyramid

Food in general has the distinction of being probably the... Read More

Ginger 4 Spleen - A Love Story!

For all I prefer to buy my fresh produce at... Read More

Juicing - A Beginners Guide

You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More

Allergy Approaches through Nutrition

Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More

Healthy Aging - The Clean-Meat Connection

It is shocking how many people are not taking advantage... Read More

Policosinol and Cholesterol Reduction

The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More

Feeling Tired? Cant Lose Weight? Tap Into Protein Power!

You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More

Green Tea and Cholesterol Facts

A green and lush oasis in the middle of a... Read More

What You Eat Can Protect Your Skin from the Sun

(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More

Avoiding High Cholesterol Foods

Cholesterol finds its way into our bodies in two main... Read More

Whey Protein Importance

Studies on whey demonstrate it's an even better protein supplement... Read More

Carrots : The Master Key For Healthy Living!

It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More

You Are What You Eat

You've no doubt heard the saying, "You are what you... Read More

Glycemic Index of Foods

All carbohydrates are not the same. Generally it is assumed... Read More

Introduction To Cocaine Addiction

Coke, more commonly known as cocaine is a highly addictive... Read More

The History of Ambrotose® Complex

Ambrotose® - the Nutritional Alphabet of the "Sweet Language of... Read More

Saturated Fat Diet Piles on Pounds Around Organs

Having a large amount of such "visceral fat" is associated... Read More

Most of Us Talk and Think About Nutrition and Exercise as a Distant Activity to be Started Some Day!

If you do not take time to stand back at... Read More

Reading Labels:Understanding Fiber, Fat, Carbohydrates, Etc

Since 1994, food manufacturers have required the Food and Drug... Read More

Hidden Poison

Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More

How Does Glucosamine Chondroitin Help Your Body?

Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More

You Can Have Healthy Skin

With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More

The Ins and Outs of Proper Nutrition

Secretly we all want just a few things in life,... Read More

Tips for Effective Muscle Building Diets

One of the biggest mistakes many new bodybuilders make is... Read More

Just What Is A Carbohydrate Anyway?

During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More

Is Eating a Raw Food Diet Actually Healthy for You?

Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More

Whatever Happened to the Basic Four Food Groups?

What Ever Happened to the Basic FourThe USDA was originally... Read More