Eating to Win!!! In this case Winning=loosing (weight, that is)

In order to be healthy and maintain a healthy weight, there are some basic dietary guidelines that everyone must follow. Remember, your body is an amazingly fine-tuned machine, and like all machines, it needs the proper fuel.

1.) You must eat breakfast. Breakfast is exactly what it sounds like….breaking your fast. You essentially had fasted all night long, so your body now needs fuel to kick start your metabolism and get your day going. Now, I am not talking about going to Dunkin Donuts and starting your day off that way, but a bowl of oatmeal, a banana and or a high-fiber cereal will give your body the proper nutrients to make it through the day.

2.) Please take a multi-vitamin. Our diets these days are hideous and we are not getting all the necessary micro and macronutrients our body needs.

3.) All of your meals must include protein. A hard-boiled egg, cottage cheese, almonds or some protein powder will do just fine. Proteins are the building blocks for our body and if you are trying to be successful in any weight loss or maintenance program, you need to have protein.

4.) Increase your intake of healthy omega 3 and 9 oils and decrease your omega 6 oils. Too much omega 6 oils can cause inflammation and these include canola, corn, soy and safflower oil. The healthy oils come from fish, flax, walnuts, olive and coconuts.

5.) Make sure you are eating your fruits and veggies each day. Five servings a day is considered a minimum now, so make sure you are getting these in your diet. If you are unable to have fresh, frozen is a good alternative.

6.) Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. Water is your body's principal chemical component, making up, on average, 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water.

7.) Limit your starchy carbohydrates. Eat whole wheat breads, pastas, cereals, buns, etc. You can get most of the carbohydrates you need from your fruits and veggies. Do not eat any white flour (white bread, pasta, white rice, potatoes, etc.). These foods rapidly elevate your blood sugar levels and make you feel hungry sooner. Whole grains are more hearty and make you feel full longer

8.) Limit/eliminate your white sugar addictions. Make your Cocoa Puffs and Fruity Pebbles for special occasions only/

9.) Lastly, eat 35 grams of fiber each day. If necessary, take a fiber supplement. Fiber is essential as it slows the absorption of sugars and fat, stabilizes hormone metabolism and helps with digestion!

Live long and eat healthy!