Make the healthy switch

A few food substitutes can make a big difference in your diet's healthiness.

Over the last few years, I've made three big changes to how I eat, and all of them have improved my health. First of all, I've replaced chips and fries with broccoli and low fat salad dressing. This knocks out a ton of bad carbs, grease and sodium and replaces it with a great antioxidant. Eventually, you get used to it and enjoy it just as much as the ‘junk’.

Second, I’ve swapped out lunch meat and burger patties with Boca burger veggie patties. After a few weeks, your stomach will be convinced (like my dog) that they are the same thing. I’m not a vegetarian, but I love Boca’s product line.

Finally, after dinner, before considering any type of desert, I eat an apple. It reduces my cravings for something sweet and reduced the amount of cookies, ice cream and candy I eat. Researchers say that an apple a day keeps the munchies away.

In the last few years, I’ve lost thirty pounds and have never felt better. I’m not claiming these are magic bullets, but the process of substituting good food for bad food is a great way to improve your health.

Comments

[jen_chan, writer MemberSpeed.com]

What are Boca burgers? Are they meat substitutes? Anyway, you're absolutely right. A little difference goes a long way. Although I'm not sure I can give up the fries like you did. I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment. In terms of work values and attitudes, I also agree that a little difference will work wonders.

[Suzy J]

Howdy, Tim. Thanks for a post that focuses on healthy eating. This truly hits home with me, as I found out earlier this year, at the ripe old age of 42, that I have celiac disease and have had it most of my life.

For those who, like me, thinks this sounds like a death sentence, not so: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, and in a nutshell, those who suffer from it have a sensitivity to a substance called "gluten," which is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and perhaps oats. In other words, it's a protein found in many of our processed foods and it can provoke a wide variety of symptoms. For me, I started absorbing very little essential vitamins and nutrients from eating due to damage to my intestine.

To wit, gone from my diet: Any foods that contain most types of flour and wheat -- pizza, pasta, bread, and yes, my beloved beer. That's just the short list (of things that I used to eat/drink constantly and thus, was poisoning my body on a non-stop basis).

Oddly, celiac is one of the few diseases I know of that can't be treated by a drug -- take THAT, big pharma firms! The only "cure" is to practice a gluten-free diet.

This was a scary health crisis for me, and if I make no other point, I would encourage everyone to get screened for celiac disease. Talk to your doctor, but it's typically a matter of a few simple blood tests to screen for it. Some people have symptoms, others don't. In Italy, children are routinely screened for it, and estimates are that in the U.S., as many as 1 out of 100+ people have it, but many don't know it. The stats vary according to studies.

The bad news is, adhering to the gluten-free diet can be difficult, but it's much easier now because many health food stores and grocery stores (such as Whole Foods) carry gluten-free items. And the Internet helps make navigating the disease much easier.

Now for the good news: Adhering to the diet has drastically altered my life, my outlook, and my energy for the better. You hear people speak of the mind/body connection, but it wasn't until this health crisis that I was forced to truly understand it on the most personal of levels. I still have my bad days like anyone else, but this was the crisis that made me start evaluating virtually everything in my life and the choices I was making -- and not just with food. The toxins in our lives build and catch up with us in many ways, on many levels.

The fact is, almost everyone can reap the benefits of eating less processed food. Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can.

And yes, they do make gluten-free beer.

Here's a start for anyone seeking more info on celiac disease:
http://www.celiac.org/

To your point, Tim, changing your relationship with food is a great way to start improving on your life.

[Ryan]

Right on TS. I concur with the advice on this one. Gang, I have tried to remain conscious of healthy diet and exercise for most of my life. Recently, I reduced my carnivorous intake of red meat and my energy is back and my appearance is not even as lethargic. To fight the sweet tooth and win the health challenge, do fruits on your salads with light olive oil and butter lettuce.
For dessert splurge on a really fine balsamic vinegar (15-20 year) and put that on some fruit. It's like syrup, but not as bad for you.

Bon Apetit -