4 Healthy Eating Tips for the New Year To Practice

A New Year has just begun and it’s the right time to think about your resolutions for a healthier you. If you are guilty of indulging in junk food and rich carbohydrates because of a busy lifestyle then now is the time to make the change. Believe me, incorporating healthy eating tips into your everyday is not as complicated or tough as it sounds and with a bit of innovative thinking, preparing meals can actually be fun.

I’ve been a Health Coach for years and I can tell you that losing inches off your waist, feeling more energetic and maintaining a healthy BMI begins with small baby steps. Here are my top 4 highly recommended healthy eating tips you can put in action starting with your next meal:

Mindful Eating

A lot of the times, we pile our plates high with food and gulp down everything without even remotely tasting what we are eating! Eating mindfully means using all 5 senses to appreciate the food in front of you, sticking to smaller portions and enjoying every bite. When you eat mindfully, you allow your mind and body to absorb maximum nutrients without over-indulging. You’ll face fewer instances of bloating, feeling stuffed or even indigestion.

Eating Regularly

When you skip meals frequently, your body naturally goes into a state of energy and fat conservation. It means that the next time you eat something, you are likely to overeat for sure because the brain isn’t certain when you will consume your next meal. Think of a polar bear saving up all its energy during hibernation. Eating irregularly also hampers with your body metabolism and triggers off the onset of many lifestyle diseases. Breaking down your meals into 5-6 smaller meals which are spread throughout the day ensures that your body is never devoid of fuel to function.

Go Slow on Sugary Foods

White sugar is often called a ‘silent killer’ and can be highly addictive too. Forget what your favorite brand of cereal says about it being ‘healthy’ for you and focus on what actual nutrition you give your body per 100 grams, just by studying the nutrition label. Sugar gives the brain a quick high and that ‘feel good’ feeling we love, which could be one reason why it is added to so many packaged foods. Slowly replacing sugary foods with healthier alternatives like fruits, jaggery and maple syrup for a touch of sweetness is one of my favorite healthy eating tips.

Prep Meals Yourself

Cooking for yourself and for your family does not have to be this huge ordeal that you go through mentally and physically. The Internet is full of easy to put together recipes that require minimal effort and which do not compromise on taste or nutrition. One of the most important healthy eating tips I can give you today is to take the time to understand whether the food you eat every day is medicine for your body or a slow poison. Planning what to cook ahead of meal-times gives you time to cut, grate, dice or blend the ingredients and store them in the fridge. You’ll feel more satisfied enjoying the flavors of a home-made meal than a frozen store bough dinner.

Did you know that according to a survey conducted in 2018, 60% of Americans wanted some form of health coaching and healthy eating tips but didn’t know who to ask? If you too have been thinking about enjoying the benefits of total wellness and didn’t know where to start, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m here to help you begin the New Year on a much healthier and happier note. So, write in or call me and let’s do this together!

Nutrigenomics And What It Means For You

Food and You

We human beings are walking stories of chromosomes, genes and many intrinsic internal networks that work together in harmony to create our tastes, preferences, likes and dislikes, character traits and personalities as know it. Research is still being conducted into understanding genes and their role in our everyday lives and nutrigenomics which specifically studies how what we eat affects our very genetic makeup is actually a young offshoot of this branch of science.

It’s possible that you may have been following a diet prescribed to you for years and you’ve still not been able to reach your target weight in spite of following it religiously. Or you may have a food allergy to certain types of nuts whereas other variants are absolutely ok. If such ‘food mysteries’ have been puzzling you for some time now, then it’s quite possible that nutrigenomics may be able to point you in the right direction of understanding your body and health better.

What’s Nutrigenomics

It’s an in-depth analysis in order to understand how the food we eat has a direct impact on our genes which in turn decide how we absorb nutrients from the same food. By studying the relation between genes and food closely, the impact of nutrition on biomarkers and diseases can be better understood.

What’s in It For You

  1. You’ll have a better understanding of different food types that actually help your body and those that simply don’t.
  2. It can help uncover hidden intolerances to food components such as gluten, lactose and decode other food allergies.
  3. Everybody’s body is different and undergoing a nutrigenomic profile can help you understand what will help you keep the extra weight off and what food groups may actually be poisonous for you.
  4. Nutrigenomics can help you understand what kind of diet you need to follow and if your body has any particular nutrient vitamin or mineral deficiency. Getting an actual diet that has been tailormade to suit your genes best will give you great results too.
  5. If you’ve always wondered why you crave certain foods all the time, nutrigenomics can help you understand eating patterns a lot better.
  6. Often, you may be the carrier of certain genes which may cause lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, pcod etc and you will be able to learn how what you eat affects cholesterol levels, metabolic rates and sugar levels in the body.

Food is more than just about taste- in fact, it can play a pivotal role in healing illnesses, building immunity and boosting your health, without your having to reach out for prescription medicine. With more research being conducted in nutrigenomics, the day is not far when you can heal your body from within before you even feel the symptoms of a lifestyle disease.

If you’re ready to understand  how what you eat can truly nourish and protect your body, then you are ready to take your first step on a fulfilling journey to total wellness. Fill in the form today and let’s get started on this journey together!

Staying On Track With Wellness When You’re On The Road

It’s vacation season! School is almost over and many will be hitting the roads and the friendly skies to explore new parts of the world! Often people see a vacation or work trip as a “vacation” from their healthy lifestyle. But, I’m here to tell you, that you don’t have to sacrifice your active lifestyle just because you are traveling. In fact, there are a lot of easy, and practical things you can do to help stay active while on the road.

1. BYOG – Bring Your Own Gym: No treadmill? Not a problem. Pack tennis shoes, workout clothes, and lightweight equipment. Resistance bands and yoga mats are just a few lightweight tools you can use to get a great workout in, yet don’t take up too much space or weight in a suitcase. Even if you don’t bring your own equipment, there are many free weight exercises you can do from the comfort of any hotel room. (http://www.fitsugar.com/Best-Bodyweight-Exercises-30828261#photo-30884848)

2. Plan ahead! Smart snacking and a little planning can help balance blood sugar and energy. Make sure to have building meals and snacks with protein, fiber and whole grains. Some great examples of food on the go are nuts and dried fruit, bags of apples and carrots. Hummus, guacamole and nut butters also come in handy single serve packs that are great for the road. The Juice Plus Complete shakes are a perfect balanced snack and are delicious with just ice water, making it easy for travel.

3. Take Breaks! Long car and plane rides can be rough on your posture and your muscles. If you are flying, take opportunities to get up and stretch your legs a little. If you are driving, stop more frequently than you think you need. When you park at a rest stop, park as far away from the building as possible to get in a few extra steps. Make sure to take advantage of walking paths that many rest stops have surrounding picnic areas.

4. Keep your brain in shape. Taking a few minutes to be mindful and slow your mind can be a huge benefit to counterbalance the hustle and bustle you are often surrounded by while traveling. Reconnect with yourself through a few deep breaths to help get the oxygen flowing and helping you be more mindful. Simply inhale for six counts, hold your breath for two counts, and then exhale for six counts. Try to repeat at least three times throughout the day.

5. Check out your new city on foot! Explore your new surroundings! Take a run through the town you are in. Go for a hike. Consider active recreation activities like surfing, kayaking, or whatever local hobbies are popular there. Take advantage of the fact that you have the opportunity to explore a new city or state!

Whether you travel a couple times a year, or you are jet-setting every week, you can make active steps to stay in shape. Your physical health is so vital to your overall health. Maintaining your physical condition while on a trip shows a commitment to a healthy lifestyle and can help you stay on track with your goals. Get out there and bon voyage!