When and What to Eat?

» Posted on Oct 12, 2011 in Health, Lifestyle & Nutrition Counseling, Nutrition, Weight Loss | 0 comments

There is so much information going around about what food is good for you, what food is bad for you, what foods you should never eat, what foods you can eat to lose weight faster, and so on. It doesn’t hurt to listen or read about these foods but in the end you have to do what is best for your body and mind.

Pay attention to how you feel when you eat too much sugar.  Are you so hungry shortly after a sugary meal that is causes you to eat more than you should?  Save the sugary treats for exactly that, a treat. Refrain from treating yourself daily to where it becomes a habit for your body to want that sugar. Save the sugar for very special occassions and try to pair it with something healthy. Be prepared with a healthy meal/snack shortly after to keep yourself from making a poor choice of foods.

Determine how long you last without cravings from morning to afternoon when you eat a healthy breakfast compared to when you eat a breakfast lacking any nutrients or even no breakfast at all. Your energy level and thinking skills will also be challenged when you are starving yourself of nutrients by not eating a healthy breakfast. Your body and it’s organs had just spent at least 8 hours without any nutrients.  You need to refuel as soon as you can in the morning.

Filling your plate and snacking with the most nutritious foods you can find is always the best choice.  It may not be the easiest choice but doing so can provide you with the energy and positive attitude you need to get through each day easier and happier.  The most nutritious foods are those that are fresh and full of vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables.  You’re looking for foods that contain a large amount of nutrients for the least amount of calories.  Look for fiber, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids in your foods.

After a meal full of  carbohydrates are you tired or raring to go?  Do you crash an hour or so later?  Depending on the type of carbohydrate and how much of it you are getting in relation to the other foods you are eating could be causing you to have a quick energy surge and then become very tired.  Stick to the unrefined, high-fiber carbohydrates.  They are complex carbs instead of the “white” simple carbs.  Examples of the carbs you may need to eat to prevent you from crashing and keeping you full longer are brown rice, rye bread, beans, strawberries, oatmeal, lentils, apples, carrots, etc.  If you find yourself eating a simple carb, you may try pairing it with a good fat in order to stabilize the blood sugar.

Keep in mind, you can be healthy and happy by eating the foods you love.  It is about how and when you eat as much as it is about what you eat.