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Healthier Changes

Like I always say, I am NOT a perfect eater and never will be. I strive to eat healthy, but I am in no way one of those all “organic, all natural, no sugar whatsoever” people. Nothing is wrong with that, it's just not me.

I like a diet Pepsi every now and then, I like cream and a little sweetener in my coffee, and I like my weekly treat meals loaded with fat and sugar(feel free to unfollow me now)! ;) Not being super restrictive keeps me sane and able to maintain my healthy eating for the long run... not constantly going back and forth between either "dieting" or eating all out horrible, like so many people do.

Life is all about balance and finding a nutrition plan that you can maintain, not restricting yourself from all the things you love. I will never pretend that I eat 100% perfect ALL the time. I’m just a junk food lover at heart who tries her best to eat healthy!
I’ve made many changes to my eating habits in the last 5 years. A typical day of eating for me used to look something like this:
-Toast with butter and jelly for breakfast
-Bowl of cereal and banana for a snack
-A turkey sandwich with a yogurt and apple for lunch
-Cereal bar for a snack
-Spaghetti for dinner
Ahhh, those were the days…ignorance is a bliss! Talk about carb overload! And where was the protein?? Now my meals look more like this:
Look at that! Protein and veggies!
 
These are the healthier changes I’ve made over the last few years:
-I no longer eat fast food and cut back on diet cokes (my fave!) from daily to only once a week
-I don’t eat a ton of “sugar free” things like I used to-pudding, hot chocolate, Crystal Light, etc.
-I took out all the processed meals I was eating regularly, such as Lean Cuisines, boxed rice mixes, and canned soups
-I make myself eat at at least one vegetable a day vs. one a week(if that)!
-I eat protein at every meal and snack, unlike the days when a bowl of cereal or a banana would be a snack or meal.
-I very rarely eat processed meats, except for our Sunday turkey bacon, which is organic and nitrate free.
-I decided to stop drinking cow’s milk and drink only Almond milk, which I now love!
-I try to buy mostly organic of the list of  “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables.
-I eat less wheat products.
My diet slowly changed over time into what it is now. And even though I eat SO much better than I did 10 years ago, even 5 years ago, there are still some things that I know I need to work on:
-Eat more veggies, duh!
-Buy organic meat more often-the price is hard for me to get past, but I know it’s worth it!
-Limit my all out “bad” cheat meals to every other week rather than every week and do healthier "treats" instead....if my husband will go for it!
-Find something to replace the sweetener in my coffee( I use Truvia which I guess is not the best ,but I have to have something to sweeten my coffee and I’ve found no alternative!)
I don’t think you  have to be completely 100% perfect with your nutrition, but I do think it’s good to make small changes over time; not just suddenly giving up everything you love, but choosing healthier alternatives and striving to do better over time.
 
What are some healthier changes you've made with your nutrition? What are some things you're still working on improving?

Comments

  1. Try Stevia in coffee! If you want a powder form, Kal stevia is 100% pure stevia and is all-natural. I personally like NuNaturals brand Vanilla Stevia drops (alcohol free). It's amazing :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tried Stevia and didn't like the taste! Maybe I'll give it another chance-I'm sure it will just take some getting used to! I've never tried the drops. Thanks! :)

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    2. The drops also have differant flavours.. Like hazelnut, chocolate etc..look from iherb.com ;) I just use flavoured coffee so I don't even have to add sweetener.

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  2. My diet is sooo much healthier than it used to be. I used to live on carbs. Granola and sugary yogurt for breakfast, a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch, chips or chocolate in the afternoon, and pasta with sauce and cheese (no meat!) for dinner with bread on the side! Every single night I'd have either a bowl of ice cream or half a block of chocolate. The miracle is that I was very thin thanks to all the dancing I did.

    Right now I'm trying to work on a balance between eating in moderation and 'cheating' too often. I never struggle with having things in moderation until I try to lose fat, and then I start with this ridiculous all or nothing mentality! I need to get through a period of 4-6 weeks without cheats just to prove to myself that I can do it and don't need food to make me happy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, I lived on carbs as well-I remember drinking more milk to get my protein in! I was so clueless!
      It is hard sometimes to find that balance. I know a lot of people say not to plan cheat/off plan meals, but that has always been what works for me to keep my treats limited to just that ONE meal. I know I can eat whatever I want, but once the meal is over, it's DONE, no matter what I crave the next day. Not that I never have more than just that one treat, but 95% of the time it's one and done!

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  3. What is in your green shake? And is it tasty?

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    Replies
    1. Very tasty!
      Ice cubes, about a cup of almond milk, 1/2 banana, 1/4 cup frozen pineapple chunks, vanilla whey protein, and one big handful of spinach! I love it!

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  4. Put that almond milk in your coffee :) It's not as sweet as truvia but it does the job.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I've tried that...I guess it will just take some getting used to!

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