It’s that time of year again: New Year, resolutions, fitness goals and diet obsession. What to do? Crawl back in your cave or tackle it head on?
In the interest of your time and energy, let’s make it really simple for 2019.
EAT REAL FOOD! There you have it folks! But seriously whatever plans you have for the coming year make it a goal to put all your energy into eating real food.
What is REAL food?
Below is taken from my book: Finding Lifestyle Sanity: A Survival Guide.
Real = true, actual, not artificial
Food = any substance taken into and assimilated by a plant or animal to keep it alive, enable it to grow and repair tissue
That differs from FOOD-LIKE substances.
Food-like = resembling food
Substances = a particular kind of matter with uniform properties
In other words, real food is not in a box or package with a whole host of ingredients on the back label. Even if the words “all natural and healthy” are stated on the front. Real food needs no explanation or master’s degree to decode the instructions and labeling.
Yes, it means you have to cook. There is just no way around that. If you put it in a microwave and warm it up that is not cooking.
Yes, you have to shop and plan ahead. When you cook and eat your own food you know exactly what the contents are. There is no fear of eating junk oils or added sugars because you did not put them in. You can make it as simple or complicated as you want but keep it real.
Why is this important?
- You can’t outrun a poor diet!
- Vibrant health is not a number on a scale or number of calories consumed
- Eating real food makes nutrition simple
Start the New Year with a sane approach to eating. Enjoy meals with friends and family. Make cooking and shopping a priority. Forgo the counting steps and calorie obsession.
Make one commitment: EAT REAL FOOD!
Yesterday I chopped up some yellow onion, red pepper, and jalapenos. Put it in my slow cooker along with pre-cooked rice and a whole lot of butter. Today is one of my fasting days. But tomorrow I will add some form of protein and ENJOY it.
Starting the year off with real food is an excellent kick-off to 2019. I’m a big fan of dishes that take time to cook like stews, soups and slow-cooker dishes. Thanks for reading the post and enjoy your real food!