Say NO to DIEting & YES to LifeStyle Eating

I have never been a fan of the word "DIEt", perhaps its the small~big word that makes it up or the word it spells if one should accidentally forget the "t" at the end. This so called "DIEt" thing comes with many restrictions and in case no one has ever told you, life can be short lived, so why would you want to deprive yourself the odd glass of wine?

After I finally started being able to wear (or on some days remembering to wear ~ [post or another day] ) regular clothes, the cold~ harsh reality that the scale was not broken and that I had indeed gained 20-25 lbs post accident smacked me right in the zipper and buttons not wanting to close. Its amazing the truth a pair of Juicy Couture sweat pants or Lulu Lemon yoga pants can conceal.

My health care team tried to comfort me by explaining the Meds I need to take really play havoc with one's system and ability to quickly put on weight. This only being part of the challenge ~ I started to look at what  was eating, It was all fairly healthy, or so I thought. In any case not wanting to give in and "DIEt", I needed someone to examine the situation. Enter my knew best friend the Nutritionist.  After our initial meetings, she prepared a plan for eating that would represent foods I was already consuming, only with better choices and a couple of new introductions.

I was already eating oatmeal, yogurt, nutritional cold cereal and bread.

But my choices were not helping my bottom line.

The above items are made from natural ingredients, which offer many health benefits. Take a look at how many ingredients the yogurt or oatmeal you consume contains? You will be surprised...

New discoveries...

Coconut water, Flax seed, Ryevita and Almond milk were the only new things

which were not part of my everyday eating.

 

Actual foods I eat...

A Sample Day of eating for HHL

Start each day with hot water,squeeze of lemon,1/2 tsp raw honey and grated ginger

Breakfast

1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, add 1/2 tsp raw honey, cinnamon for flavour (optional)

1 scoop protein powder (mix into oatmeal or have with water) OR have small handful nuts

1 tsp ground flax seed sprinkled on top

Snack

4oz yogurt (plain, with active cultures)

1/2 cup berries

1/2 tsp agave nectar or raw honey to sweeten (optional)

Lunch

3-4oz grilled chicken

large green salad OR minestrone soup

1/2 Tbsp. olive oil with lemon and sea salt

Ryevita Crisps (1 serving)

Snack

7-10 whole almonds

1/2 large or 1 small apple (Granny Smith are best)

Coconut water is a great substitute for coffee, as is herbal tea.

If you don't feel like food for a snack - try these ideas instead.

Dinner

3-4oz meat (lamb,chicken,pork or veal)

Steamed broccoli or other green vegetables (1 cup)

Salad (2 cups) -optional , especially if you had salad for lunch.

1-2 Tbsp. olive oil dressing (oil, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, pepper)

I know you are wanting to know... after a week how did I feel. Overall, I did not feel hungry between meals (often not having a snack or only part of the suggested snack ). Mr. G was happy that he had a plan to follow for meal preparation for me (this made things quite pleasant around meal time ~ instead of the "I don't know what I want, make what you want" followed by pasta again??? and the usual discussion of .......between couples). I know ! I know! Ok the scale went down 3 lbs.

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing additional discoveries and insight to a healthier way of LifeStyle eating. Meals are based on the Mediterranean style of eating ~ which was my choice.