When it comes to what to eat to achieve a fit & fabulous “wedding dress ready” body it can be extremely confusing. Low carb, low fat, high fat, Paleo or Vegan? Opinions and beliefs about food are strongly rooted in what we were exposed to growing up, what we’ve “read” and what we’ve “heard.” I used to assume when clients told me they ate “healthy” that we were of the same understanding of what that meant. Over the years I’ve realized that everyone’s definition of “healthy eating” varies a lot! I’d like to clear up some common myths in the food world that could potentially prevent you from achieving a Bride Fit Body and give you 3 “must eat” foods for a healthy body & mind.
Dr. Mark Hyman, MD says in his book, Eat Fat Get Thin, “You would think that research would clarify the answer to the question of what and how we should eat, but it just made it more confusing. Vegan diet studies show they help with weight loss and reversing disease. Paleo diets show the same results. So should your diet include meat and fat without guilt and give up grains and beans? Or stay clear of animal products and only eat vegetables grains and beans?” Keep in mind that the members of each “camp” will fight for their diet with a strong passion and will point to studies that validate their point of view. I’m in the “camp” that believes everyone is individual and one diet doesn’t work for everyone. So why do the studies of veganism have similar results to a Paleo diet? Typically these studies compare high-quality versions of these diets to the Standard American Diet (AKA –The S.A.D. Diet), which is processed foods, sugar, refined carbs, poor-quality industrial animal products, and refined oils. A study of any diet of whole foods- vegan or Paleo- will show far better results when you compare to the awful processed industrial diet that most Americans eat. When we look at the studies comparing “low-fat” to “high-fat” within the same camp, the “high-fat” performed better for weight loss. Did you hear that? Fat does not get you fat! Sugar is the enemy! The common denominator in any diet that results in fat release, lean muscle gains and improved health are the quality of the food. That means organic vegetables and fruit, pastured animal products (grass-fed meats and eggs), wild fish, organic virgin fresh-pressed oils (coconut, olive, avocado, flax), and raw seeds and nuts (almonds, walnuts, pumpkin, chia). Run the other way when you see “vegetable oil.” You would think anything with the word “vegetable” would be good for you but as Dr. Catherine Shanahan, MD, author of Deep Nutrition says, “The toxic chemicals in vegetable oils and hydrogenated oils damage cells and disrupt basic metabolic function, and have been linked to serious health problems, including genetic damage, birth defects, growth anomalies, cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and more.” She lets her patients know, “If they make vegetable oils part of their diet, it’s not a question of when the stuff will make them sick, it’s only a question of how.” Avoid canola, corn, soy, sunflower, cottonseed, safflower, grapeseed and rice bran oils. Reading the ingredients is really important! Common places to find these oils are in chocolates, salad dressings (make your own!), cookies, granola, cereal and bread. Please don’t be fooled by the way the box is decorated and words that are used to trick your brain into thinking the product is actually good for your health! It’s truly an outrage that food companies are feeding us chemicals and toxins and presenting it as a health food, all in the name of money. You must read labels and then decide if it’s an acceptable food that supports a Bride Fit Body & Mind.
I like to focus on what to eat versus what not to eat because it just feels better! However, identifying some things to avoid or eliminate in the name of your health and in achieving a Bride Fit Body is beneficial. As we discussed above, stay clear of vegetable oils! When buying prepared food and eating out (even in fine dining establishments), ask what oil is used. If you see high-fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated anything, don’t eat it! You will be very surprised, as you read labels, where these ingredients are hiding in food and condiments you may be eating daily! I’ll add one more thing to the list of what not to eat- anything non-fat or low-fat, especially dairy products. This will take some practice because we are brainwashed about fat and the negative thoughts we may have about fat are a hard habit to break! Keep in mind, FAT doesn’t get you FAT, SUGAR does! Which is usually the main ingredient in low-fat processed foods. Did I mention to READ LABELS?
Finally we can list the “MUST EAT” foods that support a Bride Fit Body!
- Loads of organic vegetables, 10-14 servings of a colorful variety! Don’t be afraid to try something new. Hit a local farmers market and get some local and in season vegetables. Ask the reps from the farm ways to prepare, they always have great suggestions!
- FAT from coconut oil, avocado’s, fatty fish like wild salmon and black cod (3-4 x’s per week, 4-6 ounces), nuts & seeds, grass-fed beef (1-3 x’s per week, 4-6 ounces), pastured eggs (1-3 per day), and butter from a pastured cow. Hyman, MD, recommends 4-5 servings of healthy fat per day, in his Eat Fat Get Thin book.
- Bone Broth is a must! Benefits from Glowing Skin to reducing Cellulite! Hyman has a veggie-bone broth recipe in his book and you can seek out vegetarian options if you don’t eat meat.
Please contact me with any questions and to set up a consultation. The best investment is your health and this is a perfect time to get in the best shape of your life and learn how to live “happily & healthily ever after” with your fiancé. Get started with 12 WEEKS TO A FIT BRIDE, an on-line coarse that will support you becoming BRIDE FIT in your BODY, MIND, HOME & RELATIONSHIP, TODAY!
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