First and foremost, every living human being are genetically different. Some have faster metabolism while others struggle to gain enough energy from their slow metabolism. As far back as the industrialized era, people have been looking for ways to lose fat, stay fit and live healthy. First of all, let us address the issue of obesity. Ever since lard became a commercialized product, people were gaining weight. After vegetable oils were commercialized, more people have gotten fatter and blamed it on sugar. After artificial sugar was commercialized, people were getting cancer, much fatter than before, and dying from strokes and/or heart attacks. We are now in the whole nine yards of health issues, it's no longer funny. It has gotten worse. Now the children are suffering the same fate as the adults are.
Here's my two cents for all it's worth. Eating healthy means to NOT skip your meals. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eat heartily, but do not stuff yourself. Stuffing yourself not only hurts you, but it also makes you store fat faster. Have a moderate lunch, have a snack when you get the munchies, then have a light dinner. A small supper before dinner won't hurt you. It should be common knowledge that humans eat to live and not the other way around.
Unless you are training to be a sumo wrestler, you're in good shape. Their diet contains a lot of protein and carbohydrates. They exercise on an empty stomach.
If you are one of those people with high metabolism like me, one thing you need to keep in mind is to savor your meal. Wolfing your meal down will not only lead you to an upset stomach, but it allows your body to urge you to eat again. No, I'm not a dietician. This was what my dietician recommended.
Always ask your medical professional what diet works for you. When I use the term diet, I mean the medical definition of diet, which is habitual nourishment or a manner of living on accounts of what food and drink are regularly provided or consumed. Let's be honest. Ask yourself, "How can I live a healthy and happy life?"
Rather than listen to the media hype about how you should go about it, listen to your body. What is it telling you? How often do you get headaches, muscle cramps or joint pain? Have you consulted your doctor? What foods have you consumed that may have caused the health issue in the first place?
Long before food became a commercialized industry, it was known that too much lard and pork could cause health issues; especially high intake of salt and refined sugar. Since these ingredients are now in all of our packaged food, we have been made self-conscious of our health. Farm-grown vegetables and dairy produce have been labeled "Organic" to satisfy the health conscious consumer.
Unfortunately, there aren't any differences between the packaged foods and "health" foods per the FDA label at any incorporated grocery stores (Wal-Mart, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, etc.). The same concept applies to the "low fat," "low carbs," and "sugar-free" products. The food industry has been using cheap imitation chemicals since 1492 (sugar), 1924 (salt) and 1997(cooking oil). Whether you like it or not, there are few local markets around the corner from where you live. The choices you have to make between the trip to the convenient grocery store and the 30 mile-drive to your local farmer's market can leave you depressed and/or devastated.
It's common knowledge that too much sweet is bad for you. How aware are you about the FDA approved High Fructose corn syrup? High fructose corn syrup is the leading cause of diabetes among the people, who are between the ages of 3 and 35. Once you have it, you are now medically and chronically ill. How aware are you about artificial sweeteners? Artificial sweeteners are 10x sweeter than granulated sugar where as honey is 18g less sweeter than refined sugar. I would rather have a good delectable ice cream to eat than a diet low fat skinny cow brand dessert, which has been infused with artificial sweeteners and food coloring.
Moderation is key. That goes with everything and anything in life. Too much of the same thing is really bad for you unless it's video games. Obsession of objects and subjects are an entirely different matter. That's another blog.
Can we actually blame the Chinese for MSG? If you dig a little deeper, the FDA has approved and labeled MSG safe for consumption at limited quantities. You're forgetting: the food industry does not have the obligation to tell you how much they have used. Mono sodium glutamate is a salt additive and can still be found in some canned foods.
If you really need your salt, feel free to substitute it with soya sauce, fish sauce or oyster sauce. Don't go crazy on it either. These naturally salty condiments are much saltier than the table salt you use at home or at any given restaurants. I rarely add salt to my cooking these days. When I eat out, I have always asked the waiters or fast food clerks to skip the salt seasoning. The vegetable oils they use already contains salt. Unless you're the first customer to arrive there after their morning preparation.
Another eye opening ingredient which lead to most high blood pressure health issues, is bleached and enriched flour. Weight gain at an abnormal rate can cause high blood pressure. Maintaining your healthy weight is key. Gradual weight loss and gain is normal. I learned to stop panicking every time I weigh myself. 5 pounds over or under in one day is a concern. You have to give your body a moment to adjust to the drastic change. If you exert too much, your heart will give out and that's the end of your life. Literally.
It is upsetting to find out that most of the healthy grain bread and crackers consist of the aforementioned ingredient. Wheat flour should just be that - nothing more. Since I do not own my very own bread maker, I have to make do by moderating my "healthy" wheat bread consumption. I also learned that black rice is healthier than refined white rice. I used to eat brown rice. After learning what the food industry have done to the brown rice to extend its shelf life, I just lessen my consumption of white rice instead.
When it comes to high cholesterol, you have to weigh in the pros and cons. You can't simply get rid of all the fat in your body. Your body needs it to some extent. It helps protect your hair and in some cases, give your antibodies energy to heal a bruise or fight germs. It also helps you stay warm when the weather gets cold. Unfortunately for me, I suffer from anemia. No vitamin B and iron supplements will ever rid my anemia for good. Voluptuous women out there, fatty muscles on your butt and breasts are a good thing.
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| excerpt from Lookbooks.com |
When I was growing up, I used to put margarine on my toast. After I got older and was out on my own, I learned that butter has lesser trans fat than margarine. Artificial Trans fat is not actually healthy for you. Of course, the food industry does not have to tell you that.
Speaking of industrialized supplements, you have to consider the pros and the cons too. Most of them are not even FDA approved. You're better off just munching on a raw carrot and be done with it. You begin to realize, we are back in the cycle of convenience. If you live next door to a farmer, I applaud you. If you can grow your own garden, more power to you. For those people who are trying to get by, there are always ways to get what you need for the price you want to pay for. I salute the coupon queens. As for me, I am a proud and brand loyal customer. It's not everyday I get to use a coupon. I only use it when I need it or when it's available in the brand I use.
So, now that I have laid out what you need to look out for, go out there and be healthy. Listen to your body, ask your doctor, consult a dietician and be happy. When you're happy, your body will thank you for it.