Over the last couple of years I have been reading about various ways of eating...gluten free, Paleo, etc. nobody in our family (that I know of) has any sensitivities or allergies....it was more that I wanted to make some healthy changes. I have cut out virtually all white sugar in my baking....though not entirely because sometimes I just cannot find a good substitute for a particular recipe. We don't consume too many whole grains anymore, though nothing beats the ease and taste of a hearty pasta meal...and, I am not entirely convinced that whole grains are actually bad for us, as some of the research states. I buy coconut flour and coconut oil and use both often but not consistently. We have barely any processed foods in the house, the kids eat tons of fruits and veggies, and instead of coffee, I now make myself a hot drink in the morning with black strap molasses, lemon, and cinnamon. I just feel like trying to maintain a specific way of eating that requires very specific ingredients, or all organic produce, grass fed butter, etc, is costly and not practical long term. I am curious if others have made any changes like this and if so, did it work?
We eat what we like. That includes some raw foods, some processed foods, some alcohol. I cook mostly from scratch, but not completely. You will sometimes find potato chips in my pantry, right next to the quinoa.
We eat everything in reasonable amounts. We have a bowl of ice cream in one sitting, not a carton of it. We have a beer with dinner, not a six-pack.
And there is no way in hell I am giving up coffee or switching to decaf.
I started buying foods that make me happy rather than foods which might make other people happy. i.e. I used to buy beer "for my husband." Only he's not one to drink at home, whereas I would and will have a glass of wine or two. Guess who would drink the beer after a while. Me. Still buying the wine.
Also, trying to make sure we've always got some ice cream on hand. I've been buying tastier butter, better bacon, and added chia to the mix.
No major changes, no complaints.
Best,
F. B.
I've never made any major changes. We don't keep junk around. We eat in moderation and exercise.
I don't do any specific organic or anything like that either. I am name brand loyal and that is about it.
My DH started South Beach for his own health and we incorporated many of those elements into our daily eating, where applicable. We don't do gluten free, Paleo, etc. We eat a lot of fruit and veg and grow some of our own. By "work" what is your goal? For my DH, his lifestyle and dietary changes have allowed him to meet and exceed his weight loss goal. For the rest of us, I'm all for being healthy without being so restrictive I feel insane. You may also need to price out different resources for some of your items. I buy many organic foods from a local farmer's market, when I don't grown them myself.
We just try to eat a wide variety of healthy foods- lean meat & fish, yogurt, low fat cheeses, whole wheat bread, tons of locally grown fruits & veggies, peanut butter, nuts,. I cook with olive oil and try to make most of the treats we eat from scratch w/ whole wheat flour. The kids drink lots of water, milk and some juice. I drink coffee every morning because it helps me to be a better mom...I'm not sure what the benefit of giving it up is? It also improves my morning workout. We do eat some processed foods, the kids more so than adults- goldfish crackers, graham crackers, etc. but not a lot. We rarely eat out and especially avoid fast food restaurants- I almost always pack a lunch because I just feel awful giving my kids fast food.
I haven't felt the need to make any changes because our current diet seems to be working. The kids are never sick which I think is a sign of a healthy diet and we as a family are very active outdoors.
For me, the worst thing I consume is alcohol...even a little bit affects my sleep which makes me irritable the next day. It also dehydrates me or causes me to over eat...if I could give that up completely I'd be at my healthiest I feel.
Based on what you described your diet to be, I think you are doing just fine.
We did go gluten free for my son, at first it was a behavioral reason, but it quickly showed us the "stomach" ache he complained of was the Gluten. And the behavior improved as well.
Fructose, corn syrup, HFCS and the fake sugars. Cane sugar is fine for my kids. We buy organic candy, that has none of the above listed. I find the less processed foods, the better you are.
Goo luck.
I went grain free and feel a million times better. Lots of negative symptoms went away, some that I didn't even realize were happening until they stopped. I'm working on trying to feel my kids gluten free at home, because I'm convinced grains have a negative effect on our moods and weight. We have also cut way down on sugar. I bake a little with coconut flour and almond flour. The kids love the goodies and enjoy that mom doesn't say 'no' to them.
I also cut out coffee, although I'm not sure I'll stick with that for more than a month (I love it). I'm doing a detox and want to see what effects me when I start eating it again after the cleanse. I'm currently doing no gluten, no dairy, no sugar, no red meat, limited fruits, no caffeine, no alcohol. Basically I'm eating veggies and chicken, fish and eggs. I feel good so far! My blood sugar has been stable and I don't feel excessively hungry. Lots of energy for the most part too, although I do feel a little weird without my coffee. I used to love that revved up, ready to think feeling when I was working. My focus is a little dull now. I'm hoping that passes after a week or so.
Sounds like you are doing great, by making some small changes and just being aware of what you are eating. My kids still have treats now and then, but at home we try to eat healthy. Elanaspantry.com is where I find most of the treats I make. Her recipes are amazing. Oh, and I have trouble paying for organic produce too. I'm working on keeping that "dirty dozen" list with me, so I can at least pick those up as organic and then save a little on the rest of the veggies.
We do not have soda in the house nor do we order it if we are out. The main change has been me and my husband on this. We used to drink diet coke and he was giving my daughter some (I freaked out). I told him it is very bad and extra bad for someone her size. I think we maybe had 1 every other day (so not a crazy amount). I sent him plenty of links to read as to why it is bad. Now he stop too and this means my daughter will not have it around.
What bothers me is the pesticides on the fruits and veggie. I am guilty of buying the cheaper non organic ones. I do buy organic milk, yet do not like the price. I have so many people posting anti- Monsanto on Facebook, so it is making me more and more aware, yet more freaked out when I notice so many foods are touched by them. One of my doctors even calls them 'Mosatan.'
I noticed an amazing pizza recipe with shredded cauliflower and cheese (not sure if you allow cheese) for the crust.
Could you give coconut flour recipes?
I bought a juicer and started adding freshly made juices to my diet. Did a few juice fasts and started adding more raw foods, I was able to cure myself of diabetes with that. My family eats more raw foods as well, we do mostly plant based, organic, but we do eat some organic meat once in a while, I cook at home, no processed food, no GMO's, raw milk from local farmer, raw butter, we do eat whole grains and sprouted grains, I try to soak them and sprout them first, coconut oil as well, lots of fruits, vegetables etc
The main thing for me was being able to get rid of the diabetes and I feel this diet is really benefitial for my family as well....my kids dont get sick much...
I made changes for myself but my hubby doesn't buy into the whole thing. That's ok. When the grandkids are down I make sure I have lots of fresh fruits and veggies for them. I don't serve them processed foods at all.
Produce is the one thing I'm picky about being organic, especially for the kids. Costly? Yes. But buying the produce to begin with isn't free, so it just costs somewhat more. But then we buy way less processed stuff.
I have a budget and most of it goes to fruits/veggies. So, then I make my own other stuff since it's cheap and I can at least know what's in it.
I think our bodies were made to eat meat and other foods that are not super processed. If I could afford to eat Paleo I would, plus I'm allergic to tree nuts and a bunch of other foods. So it's hard.
I do think the low carb diet has awesome results too. One of my friends did that and his blood sugar went way down and his cholesterol did too. He's much healthier and his cardiologist agrees that eating bacon, eggs, and other foods that most heart docs are taking people off of.
