To Market, To Market

The contestants gathered at a local grocery store to get the low-down from our trainer about what to eat, and some about what not to eat. But mainly we tried to stay focused on what IS good, whole, healthy food, the stuff we CAN eat.

Recognizing what to eat is really pretty simple. Breaking old habits, not so much.  I have about 8 meals that I make on a regular basis for my family.  I'm pretty sure pancakes and tacos are not going to qualify as "real" or "clean," at least not when the key ingredients come out of a box.  Smoked sausage and white rice?  Spaghetti with meat sauce?  Strike those, too.  With the exception of the occasional roasted chicken or grilled pork chop, I'm pretty much starting with a blank canvas.

Our guidelines are simple: eat real food. Here are some of the principles I'm following:

• If it comes in a package, it shouldn't have more than 5 ingredients, and you should know what all of them are.
• Only eat it if the ingredients would have been found in your great-grandmother's pantry.
• Pair complex/fibrous carbs (fruits and veggies) with healthy fats (nuts, nut butters, avocado, EVOO, etc.) or lean protein.
• Eat small "meals" or "snacks" every two to three hours.
• Drink enough water every day to equal half your body weight in ounces.
• Avoid white foods: white rice, white flour, sugar, pasta, potatoes.
• Choose whole grains such as oats, brown rice, quinoa, barley.

Easy enough, right? Well the surprising part, at least it was surprising to me, is that it is a lot easier than I expected. I haven't really been hungry, and when I am I eat. I've even been to a restaurant or two. Quinoa is something I'm still learning to appreciate, but I keep trying. 

Probably the most remarkable change that I've noticed is that my sugar cravings, which have haunted me for ever, are reduced significantly. A little honey and some raisins in my oatmeal are more than enough to quench that particular desire. For this sugar addict, that is a HUGE step.