My Diet Makes Me Want to Pig Out!

I am craving EVERYTHING. I need to eat SOMETHING sweet or salty.  I am going to PIG OUT.  What is going on? 

I have struggled with this, have you?  Every time I attempted to diet, about 2 weeks in I was raiding the pantry.  I would eat a little of this, a little of that, something sweet, something salty and would NEVER feel satisfied.  Then the guilt sank in and I threw in the towel because I failed my diet.
Why does this happen?

We are already depriving our bodies of important minerals, vitamins and nutrients. Think about our diet.  We eat processed foods like cereal, granola bars, fast food, mac and cheese and other boxed foods...these things have little to no nutritional value, just a lot of salt, sugar and empty calories.  Long before processed foods existed - humans ate veggies, fruits, grains and meat. These things are loaded with the minerals, vitamins and nutrients we need to survive.

Our bodies - more our mouths like the taste of salty and sugary tasting foods, so when we are hungry we often think we want chips or cookies to eat.  But since these things don't have nutritional value, it will never satisfy the craving. 

What you can do?
Eat this not that.  Check out the chart below to help you understand what you are TRULY craving. 
It is important to feed your body the minerals, vitamins and nutrients it craves, not what you think you want.  So next time, grab an apple or some sunflower seeds and fuel your body with the foods it needs to keep going.

Overfed and Starving

That is what we are.  Really?  But experts say that Americans are overweight and we are in a health crisis, well we are.  But I really think that most of us are missing the mark.  We are overfed – Americans consume an excess of empty calories from processed foods every day.  Processed foods are loaded with calories and very little (if any) nutritional value.

Our bodies are craving nutrients and vitamins, yet we are not feeding ourselves with what it needs, instead we are eating what we think we need. And as yummy as that snickers bar sounds, it is not what your body is looking for. 

I found this article and wanted to share it because it explains what is happening with our diet and what we can do about it.  Plus, an expert wrote it – which I won’t claim to be, haha.

 

It’s Cinco de Mayo and I am on a diet, now what?

Well, there goes your diet.  You worked out, you ate right and then 5^th of May ruined it.  Ha!

Practically every month we are celebrating something – holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and so on…There will ALWAYS be something, some kind of excuse that keeps us from staying on track because let’s face it – life is tough.

We are surrounded with processed foods, cakes, fried foods, fast foods, sugar and fats.  And basically, every holiday we give ourselves the excuse that it is ok to binge eat these foods.  And it is ok to eat these foods on occasion, but not every day.  And the hardest part…is the every day.

I know!  I have been there. It seemed like every time I tried to cut the sugar out – I craved it more.  The more I ate, I craved it more.  “This will be the last cookie.” “It’s the holidays; I can eat a second piece of pie.” I know the excuses.  I know them well.

It was like a never ending cycle and it was going into a downward spiral for me and my health.  Until I decided enough already!  Was I living holiday to holiday or living to be here for another 50 years of holidays? 

Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy treats on occasion – I just try not to eat the stuff that was making me tired, sick and unhappy – every day. 

You can make simple choices every day that will help move you in the right direction of a healthy lifestyle. Today for instance, instead of a taco or tortilla – eat a salad with taco meat, tomato, cucumber, avocado, onion, homemade salsa and a little cheese. Instead of ground beef, choose turkey or chicken. Instead of refried beans, get black beans. 

Even if you overindulge, don't throw in the towel...one day of eating bad will not break you.  Tomorrow is a new day, start fresh and keep going.

Here is a recipe for Beans and Rice to enjoy:

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup cooked brown rice or quinoa

• ¾ cup black beans

• ½ cup canned low sodium diced tomatoes

• ½ tsp chili powder

• ½ tsp. cumin

• 1 tbsp crumbled queso fresco

• Cilantro sprigs chopped.

Combine the rice, beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin over medium heat and until heated through.

Place in bowl, garnish with cheese and cilantro.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I'm Beach-Ready Are You?

Happy May 1! I can't believe it is May already!  Soon the kids will be out of school, we will be hitting the pool, then the beach...

I am beach-ready for the first time in a LOOOONNNNGGGG time! I might actually wear a bikini...um yup!  I never thought I would say that again!  LOL. No more hiding underneath the cover-up, tshirts or behind the kids. No more dreading the bathing suit.  Ahhhhh!

You don't have to dread it either!!! There is still time to get ready!  And I have the perfect solution for you - message me, comment or email me and let's get started!