Wise Eating

“A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand” - anon

The Internet is full if advice lists for good health. One list that just caught my eye is 6 Rules of Good Nutrition by Men’s Health magazine.

6. Never Skip Breakfast – if you skip you’ll just eat more later to compensate.

5. Choose healthy snacks – snacking is not evil, it helps maintain blood sugar levels between meals. Some health lists every recommend eating something every 2 to 3 hours to avoid a sugar crash and the munchies. But skip the potato chips and try string cheese or peanut butter on celery or fruit. I’ve also read about thinking of your snack as a mini-meal that MUST contain meat and a starch/fruit and fat to provide a feeling of fullness. It takes more time to prepare but makes you think about what you’re eating and requires that you’re serious about eating that snack.

4. Downsize portion sizes – larger plates, drink cups, food servings mean a bigger waistline. We eat with our eyes so a small portion won’t seem so bad if it fills a small plate or small bowl. Downsize your chinaware.

3. Watch what you drink - Americans now slurp up nearly 25 percent of their calories in liquid form – be it soft drinks, fancy coffees, juices, sports drinks, etc. Consider water instead or herbal ice teas.

2. Eat more whole foods and fewer science experiments – read the ingredient list of what you’re eating and be afraid, be very afraid.

1. Eat together as a family – this gives you a chance to control what your children are eating and teach them healthy meal practices.

Bottom Line

After age 20, your metabolism slows down by about 10 percent every decade. This means you will gain weight if you eat the same amount of food you did when you were younger. Cut back and choose wisely.

But don’t forget that eating is just half of the diet battle, you’ve got to stay physical too. Choose the stairs over elevators. Walk instead of driving if you can. Find a fun way to exercise like joining a gym, riding a bike, taking a dance class, joining a hiking club - whatever motivates you to get moving.