If you want to lose weight you should plan ahead, and you can do this with the assistance of a nutritionist. This includes a full lifestyle change that integrates joining a gym, getting a personal trainer if you need more motivation, or seeing a nutritionist so that you can establish healthy meals.
Food
When it comes to food it is important to know that what you eat in the privacy of your home you will wear out in public. Eating healthier foods has to be a lifestyle change that you commit to for yourself when you are alone and when you are with others. The food that you eat has a very strong correlation to how well your body works on the inside and how you feel on the outside. Having a poor diet can actually make you look and feel older, while a good diet will help you look and feel younger during the turning point of your life.
Consider that different foods serve different purposes in your body so you can change your diet up a bit based on whether you are preparing for a weekend of long exercise (such as a marathon) or you are trying to de-bloat your diet during those more difficult times of the month.
Carbohydrates
What are carbohydrates? They are much more than just bread and pasta. In fact, carbohydrates are everywhere including milk and dairy products and fruits and vegetables. Now there are good carbs and there are bad carbs. Complex carbs are good for you. These have fiber and a chemical structure that forces your body to work hard when digesting. This allows the energy to be released slowly over a longer period of time. These good carbs are best when in their natural state. They are good for you because they are high in fiber and nutrients. They help you to feel full but have fewer calories. They also naturally stimulate your metabolism. Some examples include green vegetables and fresh fruit, as well as bran cereals and whole-grain bread.
Simple carbs are bad for you and will not help you look and feel younger at the turning point of life. They are small sugar molecules in essence and are quickly digested by the body. The energy from these simple carbs is stored as glycogen in your cells and any that is not immediately used is converted into fat. These are often processed foods that have been stripped of any natural nutrients in order to make them consumer-friendly. They are bad because they are low in nutrients and fiber. The empty calories are converted into fat and they lead to high blood glucose levels. This is what makes you feel tired directly after eating them. Some examples include refined bread, as well as sugared cereals and sodas.
Healthy Pantry Staples
There are some pantry staples that you can keep in your kitchen to ensure you have a nice foundation for your meals. These will leave you feeling and looking younger. Include the following and add fresh produce to complete the meals:
- Whole grains (barley/oats/brown rice)
- Quinoa
- Whole wheat pasta
- Water-packed tuna
- BPA-free tomatoes
- Lentils
- Beans
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Vinegar
- Vegetable oil
- Baking staples (whole wheat flour/baking powder/baking soda)
- Sea salt
- Pepper
- Dried spices
- Polenta
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Honey
- Nuts
- Nut butter
- Onions
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Low-sodium soy sauce
By sticking with the foods listed above, you will be well on your way toward establishing healthier eating habits.
