Important rules about food
Our parents did everything they could, sharing the best information thay had, but the conclusion is that nutrition is a young science and things have changed since we were children. A refresher about eating right seems just about right, one that might surprise you if you have never questioned your parents' advice.
1. Listen to your body
Focusing your attention to your body is the best way to discover your ideal way of eating (it is 100% unique to you). Notice what foods give you energy and which ones don't. Notice the foods that can boost your mood and the ones that leave you depressed. Keep a food diary for a week to realize what's going on in your body - and do it again when things inevitably change and you don't feel in the best shape.
2. Leave food on the plate
If you were picky as a kid, you probably often heard the expression, "do not leave the table until you finish everything." This approach does not work very well for most of us, especially when trying to keep the weight under control. Make it a habit to leave a few tablespoons of the plate at each meal. This gives the brain a chance to align the stomach and to see if you feel satisfied with less food. If 10 minutes later you're still hungry, eat everything from your plate.
3. Cravings are your friends.
Most of us think that cravings are bad:"My craving sugar drives me crazy! I hate that I'm always craving for a bag of chips as soon as I walk through the door!
Next time you crave for something , think about why you have that craving. Are you tired? Stressed? Lonely? Bored? Or maybe you recently ate a ton of sugar and cravings for salt are to balance your body (or vice versa). To look at cravings as an information, and nothing more, can change everything.
4. Meditate while eating
Our busy livescan make us see food just as another 'to do'. We go through them really fast, throwing food in our mouth so fast that its taste is not felt, let alone enjoyed. Or we're distracted by watching TV or reading while eating. Not only does it set the stage for digestive drama later, but you will also probably eat more than you should. Eating consciously is a proven technique for weight control. Try it next time you eat (becomes easier as it is practiced).
5. Calories do not matter, so don't count them
Many of us grew up in an era obsessed with counting calories. It was less about calories 'inside' than the 'burned' ones. We now know that not all calories are equal. When it comes to counting calories, quality is more important than quantity, because food contains much more than just calories. Keep up eating hole grain foods (anything without a warning label nutrition) and you can eat as much as you want (almost).
6. Hop over milk
Some are convinced that dairy products are the only source of dietary calcium. To be honest, dairy products are a good source; but not only. If you hate milk or do not like the way you feel when eating dairy, try adding these calcium-rich foods in your diet: dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collards - a kind of cabbage, broccoli, parsley) legumes (especially white beans and soy).
7. Eating right will not help you lose weight
Eating the proper foods for your body definitely helps, but weight control is more than food. All those who have the main goal the weight loss, will start to lose weight only when they will focus less on food and more on living a happier life. If you are entertained, get enough sleep, you make time for yourself and you maintain your social connections, you will lose weight.
