We all have our bad foods that we shove down our gullets. Mine is nachos. Anytime, or anyplace. However, nachos are not so great if your goal is to eat healthier and feel better in the new year. The fact is, I'm not going to give up nachos in 2012, even though I should drastically cut down on the consumption of those crispy, cheesy delights. But there are some foods that I could give up without as much pain.
In fact, there are 5 foods that might be easier to ditch than your Achilles' heel of culinary delight. And you'd be much healthier as a result.
1. Red Meat
You can substitute turkey in a burger, and a pork chop for a steak. If red meat doesn't do your body right, it could be time to start shopping for the other white meat instead.
2. Frozen Processed Meals
High calories, weird ingredients -- frozen meals are nobody's friend. And you actually have to go buy them in the grocery store, so you can just roll right by that aisle and head to the checkout.
3. Fast Food
Fast food is not good for you. Not even the "lite" menu. Believe me, I've tried to find something, anything, that can justify my running for the border. But even Chipotle has masses of sodium and fat tucked into their free-range burritos. Cut it out, and watch your waist appear.
4. Soft Drinks
Yes I know some people are totally addicted to their Diet Pepsi. If someone took away my coffee, I might feel the same. But if you can cut out soda, you're cutting out masses of sugar and chemicals. Your body will totally thank you if you start throwing down fruit juice (still high in sugar, but not as crazy) mixed with seltzer.
5. Alcoholic Drinks
As a woman who enjoys a margarita or five, I can't believe I'm saying this. However, I've known many a lady who gave up the booze and dropped 15 pounds in a very short amount of time. We all do it during pregnancy or while fighting the flu or any other random illnesses. So it's not hard to just say no if you're going for weight loss.
All of this is to say, everything in moderation. If you cut out these five things you will feel better, lose weight, and be healthier. But you can also cut way down and still benefit greatly. So save all of your beer and burgers for Friday night. And stay clean the rest of the week.
What "bad" things can you cut out to make you healthier?
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Comments 9
I can give up most of those most of the time, except #5. Love me a cocktail or glass of wine!
Love me some red meat, but I can't eat too much of it at one time. It messes up my digestive system. So When we have steak at home I cut mine in half and save the rest to slice up over a salad the next day for lunch, and when we go out for our "free birthday burgers" at restaurants I order either turkey or chicken, which being at a restaurant probably isn't much "healthier", but it doesn't make my intestines do somersaults. :-)
It's funny how when you stop consuming something for a while, and then have it again and it messes you up and you feel crappy, you wonder if you were feeling crappy the whole time but that was just "normal" for you so you didn't notice it before.
I drink la croix sparkling lime water in place of soda. No sweeteners, no sodium, no calories. I just crave the bubbles from soda so it works great for me. :) Bonus...after drinking that for awhile regular soda is WAY too sweet.
I'm with Laura. I tried going "vegetarian" for a while, and didn't lose an ounce. Since cutting out processed carbs (NOT vegetables) and sugar, and upping my intake of proteins (including eggs and red meat, since I cannot stand pork), I've lost 15 lbs.