
We are the only species on this earth that makes eating so complicated. All other life forms have a specific diet that they follow without ever getting together to talk about. Generally speaking, birds eat nuts and seeds, insects eat plants, and many animals eat plants and/or other animals. So what happened to us?
Our evolution and domestication has made the act of eating a very complex topic. There is controversy about whether or not humans should eat meat, dairy, and grains, how much protein, carbs, and fat we should consume – and wait a minute – do we need supplements?! In a world where information is always at our fingertips, in this area we have way too much of it. It’s no wonder why our nation is so confused and overwhelmed!
When thinking about what a person should consume, I like to go back to the basics. The food that comes from nature (plants and animals included) often times are not the problem. I believe the real problem lies in the decline of home cooked meals and an increase in convenience eating, packaged foods, frozen meals, fast food, and regularly taking out or dining in at restaurants. These types of meals will always contain more sugar, more salt, more processed/GMO ingredients, and more unhealthy fats than anything you would prepare at home.
Before starting a radically new approach to eating, I would like to encourage you to start small by introducing foods that you do not typically consume. Joshua Rosenthal, founder of IIN™, coined the term “crowding out” which focuses on inclusion rather than avoidance. By nature, humans do not like to be restricted. Have you ever noticed that day one of your new diet your body suddenly craves everything on the “do not eat” list? We are all children at heart that crave positive reinforcement over negative. Rather than cutting out bread, meat, dairy, or any other food groups, try to add a healthy one instead. By filling up your plate with more vegetables, fruits, and unprocessed real foods, you are automatically leaving less room for less desirable ones.
Using this approach, I think you may find that instead of always being on a “diet”, you will easily be able to adopt a new healthy way of living. For one, you will feel amazing and nothing beats that! But also, when you don’t restrict anything, you aren’t leaving room for yourself to “fall off the wagon” and find yourself on a binge happy downward spiral.
If you give this method a try I would love to hear your feedback. Leave me a comment here or head to my website and send me a message there.
With Love & Gratitude,
Brittany
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