by Krista Leck Merner

Alright…here we go with my first real “nutrition” post…and I will warn you…I’m feeling like it might turn into a venting session!

By venting…I mean that I am VERY tired of all the fads out there! Even as a health professional, I find myself sifting through the countless diet and health books out there exhausting. Low carb, low fat, high protein, sugar free…and the list goes on! If all of these “fads” worked…we wouldn’t be experiencing the worldwide health crisis that we are! Children are taking medicine for high cholesterol! New generations have a shorter life expectancy than our parents. It’s terrifying. Our society has become conditioned to expect quick fixes and easy solutions with little to no extra effort! A lot of people are complacent with taking a pill instead of changing their diet and being active! Apply this to the food world and we can now have a “full meal” microwaved and ready within 2 minutes! No more time in the kitchen, prepping, preparing and cooking…

The combination of healthy eating and activity is key–to not only our survival, but also the enjoyment of our lives! I’m not sure about you, but the main motivator for my lifestyle choices comes from my desire to be able to run around when I’m 90 and chase my great grandchildren! I understand that the choices I make today, influence the outcomes in my future. It’s not always easy…but the outcome is worth it.

I’ve always said if I could somehow create a “pill” that contained healthy eating, moderation and physical activity, I would be a very wealthy woman in today’s quick fix society! But, since that isn’t possible—here is my first nutrition recommendation!

Nutrition Tip #1: EAT REAL FOOD!
I always recommend food over supplements. While certain supplements can play a role in a healthy diet, real food contains nutrients, vitamins and things we continue to find out about! The benefit of a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins cannot be mimicked in a pill or vitamin supplement. Not to mention…real food tastes good, provides us with fuel and satisfies many of our physical, emotional and social needs.

Aside from supplementation, eating real food, also means just that! A great book “Food Rules” by Michael Pollan, outlines 64 “rules” to create simplicity in food choices in our over-complicated world of food! Comical yet informative, it’s a really easy read and reminds all of us, to just go back to the basics! A few of my favs include:

• “Don’t eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk”
• “It’s not food if it arrived through the window of your car”
• “Eat only foods that will eventually rot” (stay tuned for a post about my 5 year old Lunchable….)
• “Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food” (See photos below….)

Which would you prefer….

Now, I’m not saying that all packaged food is bad. I certainly spend a bulk of my time with clients switching from one box to a healthier box, as initial changes. Unfortunately, most of our society today is far from cooking a home-cooked meal! Opening a box is about the best we can do. So, for that reason, finding “healthier” boxes is a valid option.

Remember…changing your nutrition patterns is just like any lifestyle change. Start with a big goal…break it down into bite-sized pieces (sorry, couldn’t help myself) and start small. Set SMART goals, reward yourself along the way and track your progress.

Stay posted…more nutrition tips with easy, every day applications are coming your way. Too impatient? Contact me, Krista, at Bent Fork Nutrition to get started on your path to healthy eating today!

www.bentforknutrition.com
twitter.com/BentFork_Krista
(902) 495-6747
Krista@bentforknutrition.com

Filed under: Healthy Living, Nutrition Tagged: Healthy Eating, Nutrition