The Truth About Dieting!

I may be a day late but in honor of yesterday’s national NO DIET day I felt the need to make this post to share with you all! If anyone can be the spokesperson for this day I would vote me.

The dictionary description of the word “Diet”:

1. The usual food and drink of a person or animal.

2. A regulated selection of foods, as for medical reasons or cosmetic weight loss

People can easily confuse what the word diet means. Some may think of a weight loss regime, while others may think of a restriction to eating certain types of foods. A diet should be a way that YOU personally can stay healthy and happy at the same time.

All of these fads, books and easy “quick” ways of losing weight are so bad for you. They hurt more than help. I had a very difficult struggle with body image growing up and it became much worse living out here in Los Angeles. Now, as I get older, I learn to love my body for what it is and stop wishing I had something else. When I started believing in that, so did others around me and I became much happier. I now realize how miserable people are around me when they talk negatively about themselves and their bodies.

“Dieting” in my world includes eating everything in moderation. I fully support people’s decisions in being vegetarian, vegan and all those other categories. Assuming that they have done their homework, ie. not the girl who orders fries with every meal. Dieting is what makes YOUR body feel good. Everyone’s bodies are different. When I finally figured out what my body craves and needs, that is when I began to hit my results and felt and looked the best in years!

All and all, I could blab about this topic for days, but you need to learn how to nourish your body in a fulfilling healthy way. There are so many amazing recipes and healthy alternatives at restaurants and grocery stores nowadays. Utilize them, do your homework, start cooking more at home, and being smart about what you do and don’t put in your mouth. So go now, eat more vegetables, get outside more, take your vitamins, and on your way outside, go stand in the mirror and tell yourself you are beautiful. 😀

Here are two of my favorite recipes I use at home from one of my favorite cookbooks Cooking with Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Cookbook!

½ Cup Quick Cook Steel Cut Oats

1 Cup water

1 ripe banana, chopped

1 tsp vanilla

sprinkle of cinnamon

½ cup frozen berries (or any kind of fruit you want!)

Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 7 min or until all the water is absorbed.

Serve with milk, agave, brown sugar, maple syrup or whatever J

Serves 2 and its 235 calories, 3g fat, 6g protein, 46g carbs, 6g fiber, 12g sugar.

Roasted Asparagus with Tomatoes and Feta:

1 23oz pkg of fresh asparagus spears

2 tsp olive oil

½ tsp salt

1 tomato, sliced

1 tbsp crumbled feta

1/8 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

On a baking sheet, toss the asparagus with oil until coated. Line them up in a single layer with sides touching and salt them.

Place sliced tomatoes in a row along the center. Sprinkle feta cheese and pepper evenly on top.

Bake for 10 min until the asparagus in crisp tender. For softer, cook 8 min longer.

42 calories, 3g fat, 4g carbs

What are YOUR thoughts on dieting and eating healthy?