Spring into Health
By Brid Carter of Honest2Goodness
Are you one of the many people who decided to turn over a new leaf this January and adopt a healthier lifestyle? And then found (like I did) that the bad weather and general January blues meant that you havent made any progress? Then here is some advice! Spring is officially here, and I think that it is a much better time to turn over that new leaf.
Some of the advice is my own, and more of it is from people whose opinions I respect. And notice that I am using the phrase 'healthier lifestyle' rather than diet.
The most important thing really is to think about the changes as long-term ones - short term weight loss usually returns just as quickly when you revert to old habits. So, very extreme diets wont work - you just end up with the infamous yo-yo effect of weight off-weight on. As little as 1-2 pounds a month will end up with an overall weight loss of about 1 and 1/2 stone over a year.
Most of what I have been reading for the past year about healthy living advocate moving away from processed foods, those high in sugar (and even more so those high in artificial sweeteners), high in white flour, and high in saturated fats. It is important, though, to re-emphasise that fat is not the big enemy it has been scapegoated as over the past few decades. 'Low fat' is definitely not a label that makes a food healthy - just look to the USA where everything had to be low fat - and look at the results!
If there isnt fat there, then the likelihood is that is has been replaced by sugar, white flour or other such ingredient. The only sure way of eating healthily is to cook from scratch or to buy food that has been freshly prepared on a small scale - once you move to large-scale production, the chances are way higher that the food will be more processed with more additives and so on to enable the food to be distributed to a large consumer base.
Learn to read labels with care - especially the small print. As some health professionals advise - if there are ingredients listed that arent a real food that you can recognise, then you shouldnt eat it!
Given that most of us put up weight a little at a time, it makes sense to lose it the same way for it to stay off - of course very few of us have that level of patience, so some external help may be needed.
One person who is having great results is Grace O'Malley who works with Advanced Health and Injury Clinic in Dunshaughlin in Co Meath. As they say, results are what counts, and Grace is certainly getting those with the clients that she is working with. A really healthy diet, with lots of wholefoods and fresh foods, alongside a good exercise programme and holistic approach to livin. Here are her top-10 tips.
Another nutritionist who has lots of interesting information and advice is Darya Pino, who is based in the US. She has a great downloadable guide to eating healthily, available free to download at her website.
In the meantime, in our pantry area at the market, we are building up a store of great, healthy produce for you to incorporate into your diet. Instead of all that sugar and white flour, why not try out our puy lentils, wholegrain brown rice pastas and non-wheat crackers and crispbreads? We stock green tea and peppermint for that non-caffeine hot drink (of course we also stock some of the best coffee in town for when you want that week-end treat!). Our spices can add a zip to any meal - just ask for ideas, we are delighted to talk to you about our easy to do meal suggestions!
If you have any health tips that work for you, then let us know using our contact us form, or email me at brid@honest2goodness.ie