My Secret to Healthy Eating

[James81]

Just wanted to share this with you, as it's been really helpful for me to transition into a healthier lifestyle....

The hardest part of eating healthier, for me, has always been that there are foods that I'm not extremely crazy about (fruits and vegetables I can eat, but I'm not real excited about eating them).

So, switching to eating more fruits and vegetables hasn't always left me satisfied when I'm done eating them.

What I've been doing lately, however, is transitioning to healthier eating habits. Eating more fruits and vegetables. And what I've discovered is that if I eat a bunch of fruits and vegetables FIRST, then eat something that I like (which may or may not be as good for me), it makes me fuller quicker on the healthier stuff and helps me regulate how much I eat of the stuff that's not as good for me. But when I'm done eating, not only am I full, but the last taste in my mouth is of something that I enjoyed eating.

For example, this is my lunch for today:

A small bag of baby carrots (raw with no dip or anything).
Apple
Orange
Banana
Turkey and swiss (w/ hummus) on whole grain bun.

I ate the carrots, then the orange, then the banana, then the apple, and finally the Turkey sandich.

(I eat them in the order of worst first to best last)

I LOVE the turkey sandwich and only mildly like carrots.

But I feel really full and satisfied because the last thing I ate, the Turkey sandwich (not the healthiest food in the world, but it's ok), is the thing that's left in my mouth.

Just thought I'd share that. Perhaps it'll help some of you who are struggling to get the good stuff in you. My suggestion? Start with the stuff you don't like and get it into you until you are almost full, and then eat something you really like (even if it's bad for you) until you are satisfied.

What you'll discover is that you are essentially controlling the portions of the bad stuff, but still feeling just as satisfied as if you had the bad stuff the whole time.

[Daffy Duck]

Nice plan. I think I'll try more of that. I really need to go grocery shopping soon. Know what I'm having for lunch today? Tomato soup and water. Yours sounds much better.

[James81]

Oh, and another thing that I've started doing that helps me cut down on preparation time for dinner.

I'll buy a bunch of vegetables at the market (brocolli, cauliflower, celery, green peppers, carrots, etc.) and I bring them home, cut them all up in one sitting and mix them together in one large bowl (which takes a little time, but it's one time only for like a week or more's worth food).

From there, I have several options.

I can put some shredded mozerella over a bowl full of these vegetables and add some Italian dressing (makes for a great salad....who needs lettuce? lol). I can thrown them in a pot and steam them until they are slightly tender, but still a little crisp. I can cook them and add alfredo sauce to them (not extremely healthy, but tastey). Etc.

By having them all cut up and ready to roll, it makes preparing dinner pretty quick, but still pretty healthy.

[edith]

Originally Posted by James81

I can put some shredded mozerella over a bowl full of these vegetables and add some Italian dressing (makes for a great salad....who needs lettuce? lol). I can thrown them in a pot and steam them until they are slightly tender, but still a little crisp. I can cook them and add alfredo sauce to them (not extremely healthy, but tastey). Etc

You've got your answer right there. Put some fat with the veggies (yes, healthy!) and then you'll be satisfied.

[ginkgo]

That is the same strategy on this site about Losing Weight.

[spongesuesquareskirt]

I really like the idea about eating the treat last so you're full on healthier stuff.

[bigboxshops]

Forming a good habit is good to our body.Eating more fruits and vegetables not meat is a good diet habit.

[James81]

Originally Posted by ginkgo

That is the same strategy on this site about Losing Weight.

Although that's not where I got the idea to do this, I figured it wasn't some new idea.