I don't have my usual list of five favourite things from this week, rather I am going to write about one of my favourite topics which is healthy eating. We watched a documentary on Netflix this week called Fed Up.
If you have the opportunity to see this movie, watch it.
Basically the message about obesity since the 1970s is that you need to "eat less and exercise more". As long as the calories in are less than the calories burned, then you will lose weight. This documentary says that there is a bit more to the story than that. It is really hard for people to lose weight because of all of the extra sugar they ingest on a daily basis when they think they are eating healthy foods. I mean, all you see on the shelves are "low fat", "half the fat", "less sodium", "diet", etc. People think they are eating healthy foods when really they shouldn't be eating those foods at all. Crackers that are low in fat are still not good for you. Juice, even though it is made of fruit, is just as bad as a pop once it hits your stomach. Kids are fed such terrible food from the day they start eating solid foods (and possibly earlier if they are formula fed, check out the added sucrose in some formula), that it makes it nearly impossible for them to get ahead.
What will break your heart in this documentary are the overweight kids. They are set up to fail even though they are trying so hard to be healthy.
So, what is the answer? (and let's not pretend I actually know the answer, I am by no means the model for healthy eating) It is pretty simple though:
Eat food that comes in a form that is as close to its natural form as possible.
Eat whole fruits and vegetables (the natural fibre in them counterbalances the natural sugar so that you digest it more slowly).
Don't eat processed foods.
Don't eat foods with numerous unpronounceable ingredients.
Look at the amount of sugar in your food. (Yoghurt for example has a lot of sugar added that you don't need)
Don't feel like you need to abandon "bad" food altogether, just eat it in moderation.
Cook and prepare your own food whenever possible. It is actually not that hard to make your own salad dressing, for example, and then you know exactly what is in it.
And then don't forget to stay active. The old adage about "eat less and exercise" more still holds true. Remember also that being active is more than going to the gym a couple of times a week, it also means that you should walk whenever possible and fit physical tasks into your day.
So enough of my rant. Really just watch the documentary if you can and become educated in your food choices.
Happy Friday!!
Good advice, Sarah. Just stick to the basics, shop around the outside of the grocery store for fresh vegetables,fruits,meats, fish, grains, dairy...or even better at the local farmer's market. And go into the aisles for the basic pasta, rice, legumes, nuts, oatmeal, canned/frozen fruits and veggies....and stay clear of the processed/combination. You are so right about making simple meals and salad dressing from scratch. Easier than one thinks. And so much tastier. And healthier....if portions of even these good things are controlled. And those "extra"foods that we all enjoy...can be part of our food intake, too...if taken in small amounts. Get out your Grandma glass and fruit nappies..dishes from the old days were smaller in size. Ergo, keeping portions down. Thanks for the video link. I will view it.
ReplyDeleteI'm all about the healthy eating too! Love this post!
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