If you’ve been dieting and still haven’t accomplished your weight loss goal, you have a right to be frustrated. It is a fact that diets don’t work because dieting is not a healthy way to eat. When choosing foods there is a lot of confusion about what is and what is not healthy. The goal shouldn’t be to drop a few sizes but rather to improve your health and reduce or eliminate major health issues such as type II diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. You could order prepared healthy meals that come through the mail or learn a few basics about good, balanced nutrition and have the freedom to develop your own healthy eating plan. Just knowing some basics can help you make better choices.
For instance, it is better to eat complex carbohydrates- whole grains, vegetables, and beans, instead of simple carbohydrates-sugary foods, or foods made with white flour.
The best recipe for a healthy lifestyle will have a balance of complex carbohydrates, lean protein such as chicken or turkey breast, and an unsaturated fat like canola or olive oil, flax oil, avocado or olives.
Here’s an idea: many us of (me included) LOVE guacamole! The dietitian at Brigham City Community Hospital, Heidi Baird, MS, RD, CD, CDE, likes this recipe for guacamole. Avocadoes are full of monounsaturated fat, which is a healthy fat; however, it is still fat and has a lot of calories per serving.
This recipe adds another green, low-calorie vegetable –peas–to the mix to decrease the calorie and fat content. In addition, use plain fat-free Greek yogurt as a base. This adds additional protein, so this guac is not just high calorie and high fat.
Guacamole
1 cup frozen sweet yellow corn
One 15-oz. can early/young peas, drained
1/2 cup mashed avocado (about 1 medium-small avocado’s worth)
1/4 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt
4 tsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
1/4 tsp. salt, or more to taste
1/8 tsp. black pepper, or more to taste
1/8 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. chili powder
3/4 cup chopped cherry or grape tomatoes
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
Optional: chopped fresh cilantro, chopped jarred jalapeño slices
You don’t have to be frustrated by diets anymore. Following these basic principles and striving for well-balanced meals is your best path to success in improving your health and lifestyle.