Avoiding foods you love because they have a bad rap?
Do you feel like you’ve fallen out of love with food because your current diet labeled them as bad?
This might come as a surprise to you but one of the hardest obstacles women have to overcome in order to reach their fitness/health goals is to let go of old eating habits and beliefs.
It’s not easy to do when you’ve spent most of your life hearing things like:
Remove carbs if you want to lose weight…
Grains are bad for you…
Fruits are fattening…
And the list goes on and on.
Mis-information, food myths and flat out incorrect approaches to dietary management lead us to develop an unhealthy ‘fear’ of food that is actually good for you.
One great example is the seeming war on carbs that is often associated with dieting.
Carbohydrates are not only the body’s preferred source of energy but some studies suggest that people who eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, have lower levels of inflammation, higher levels of antioxidants. That means a lower risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease, which are on the rise especially among women. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32142510/
It is recommended that we choose complex carbohydrates which are the ones full of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals, like beans, peas, whole grains (brown rice, oats, millet), fruits and vegetables (even those root vegetables you love but have been told are fattening!). Eating these nutrient dense foods helps us maintain a more even blood sugar level, which creates a calmer feeling, something we appreciate more as we age, and it also prevents overeating.
Speaking of feeling calmer, Dr. Uma Naidoo (nutritional psychiatrist), points out that eating foods rich in antioxidants such as leafy greens, legumes, and whole grains may help ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders. Just another upside to eating carbs! https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-strategies-to-ease-anxiety-201604139441
Listen to your body.
Our bodies have a way of telling us when something is not working out, especially as we age: low energy, snack attacks, mood swings, constipation, extreme fatigue, catching every cold that goes around, weight gain.
All might be symptoms that something is missing from your diet.
Isn’t it time we pause and listen? Ask yourself - is eating the way you are eating helping you?
Avoiding foods that have been part of your traditional diet for generations is not the answer.
Food is not the enemy. Eating enough and a variety of foods to fuel your body’s basic needs PLUS your activity level is crucial for a healthy and happy life.
Eat your carbs and don’t let anyone make you feel bad about it!