Keyword in Diet is DIE

I have found it increasingly amusing lately that all of the sudden all the diets are telling you to eat like I have for years. Using nut oils ( olive oil, grapeseed, etc) is nothing new in our house. Ditto fruit and nuts for snacking. Complex carbs emphasized, simple carbs severely limited. Natural alternative sweeteners... sound familiar yet?

What most of these don't tell you is that short term dieting leads to a long term weight battle. If you want to get that pudge off and keep it that way, you have to change the way you eat for good. Not just for a week/month/etc.


Also, counting calories isn't enough. Yes, you need to be careful not to go over the max for your lifestyle (less active, less calories). But you have GOT to remember too little is actually worse than too much. Too few calories and your body will store fat like a manic squirrel collecting nuts. Too many calories can be balanced with excersize to keep things moving along.

Here are a few simple things that you can do to make yourself healthier :

• Do not, for any reason, buy a dinner in a box or bag. They are LOADED with sodium and will make you retain water, thereby adding to your weight.


• Don't ever starve yourself. If you are hungry, eat.


• Nuts are an awesome snack rich in protein and low on the G.I.( Glycemic Index)


• You CAN fry in grapeseed oil, making your favorite fried foods a little healthier to have once in a while.


• Use whole grain or nut flours. There are many readily available that are not expensive.


• Oatmeal is very very tasty and very filling. Sweeten it with unsweetened chunky applesauce and dried fruit and you'll wonder why you made icky faces as a kid.


• Fresh fruit, no sugar added juice, and raw vaggies are not only good for you, they taste really really good.


• Drop your soda habbit. Even diet sodas keep that jiggle on your middle. Instead keep herbal tea and carbonated water on hand. Mix to your taste and enjoy a fizzy good-for-you drink.

Remember, healthy food doesn't have to taste like it's good for you. Yes, I'm one of those weirdos that actually LIKES granola, yogurt, bran muffins, etc. I think the key to that may be that I grew up having it and was never told to eat it to be healthy, I was told to eat it cause it tasted good. If you have children, the key to making them into healthy adults is to start NOW. Replace sugar and junk with healthy options that are tasty and filling. They will look to you for an example, so be one. Don't be a lump all day behind the computer, on the sofa, etc. Get up, kick on the radio, turn off the tv and play.

Not only will you all be healthier, you'll be a stronger family.