Our country has a problem. A BIG problem, an OBESE problem. How much more obvious can I make this? We're a nation of fake, fat, processed food-and it's EVERYWHERE. Think I'm joking? Ask yourself how far you would have to drive RIGHT NOW to get to any kind of fast food restaurant. Ask yourself, is it easier to drive two to five minutes and pick up a giant, juicy burger with crispy fries and a soda large enough to split between a family or to make yourself a grilled chicken salad?
People want things that are convenient, fast, and satisfying. I get that. I'm busy myself and sometimes I don't feel like cooking dinner. But then I think about what I'm actually putting in my body...and suddenly that chicken breast doesn't become so hard to cook.
We look for the easy way out. It's true! Everyone's done it, including me. But think about the bomb of chemicals we're putting into our body when we eat processed and fast food. Our bodies weren't made to eat things like that, you're body doesn't know what to do with that little goody bag of artery-clogging "goodness", but over time our bodies have adjusted to all the chemicals we've been putting in our body. But ask yourself this question, what does that "adjusting" really mean?? What it means is, obesity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke high blood pressure, DEATH. I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but the obesity rate in our nation has risen DRAMATICALLY. Not just in adults either! We're passing our "not-so-great" habits to our children, and causing them to be worse off than we were at their ages! Kids that are ten, eleven, and twelve years old are being diagnosed with a form of early on-set diabetes! We're committing our kids to health problems long before they should even have to start thinking about things like that! It all comes down to the example we set for our kids. We feed them what we eat, and what are we eating? Crap. We're eating crap. So, our kids eat crap.
I guess it's important for people to understand what a processed food really is, basically to sum it up, it's anything that's been, "canned, frozen, dehydrated, or had chemicals added in to make it last longer, texturize it, soften it, allow it to sit on a shelf forever" (Michaels, 93). Seriously. SERIOUSLY. If you have a bag of chips that's been sitting on your shelf for two months and you EAT them, put that crap down right now and throw it away-that's not right on any level. This stuff is horrible for your body. You wouldn't feed your dog poison, so why would you eat it yourself?! GET RID OF IT.
In all honesty, go organic. No, not the organic where you turn into a vegan, swear off shoes, grow your hair out and down to your butt and bathe once a month in a lake with no soap. No. Going organic doesn't mean you'll never eat meat again or be thrown back into a bad 60s time-warp. Simply put, going organic means that you care more about your body and want the best for it. Yes, it is a little more expensive, I get that. TRUST ME. I'm a recent college graduate who just moved and got married. I understand it's expensive. But that's where self-control comes in. Cut down on some of your other spending, like going out to eat, or not buying snacks at the movies (you shouldn't be eating that crap anyway...), cut back on some luxuries and start taking care of yourself. I mean, what's really important here, buying that new shade of nail polish that matches those coral shoes perfectly for that cute spring outfit you can't even wear yet because it's too cold...but it just matches, or losing a couple pounds by switching from your usual milk to organic milk. Or cutting back on the drive-thru meals and buying some organic chicken breasts or organic ground turkey and having a healthy turkey burger? People would be amazed at how much money they save by not going to the drive-thru, or ordering pizza or Chinese food. It's worth it.
For example, I found out I had a gluten allergy in September of 2012, not that long ago. I ate a relatively healthy diet even before I found out about my gluten allergy, but after I discovered this allergy, something clicked for me. My husband and I began buying a lot more organic food-turkey, chicken breasts, lettuce, onions, milk, yogurt, fruit, fresh caught fish instead of the frozen stuff, everything really, even ice cream (which was a special treat). To be honest, since buying more organic food, and incorporating that into my diet, I noticed in a matter of days really how much better I felt! I had more energy, was more alert, had an easier time studying, I was able to keep my focus more, and I slept better (that was a huge deal for me, due to an insomnia problem I had been struggling with since my sophomore year of college). Don't be scared to try going organic. It's one of the best things you can do for your body, I'm serious. My husband and I are both living proof of it. One of the best things you can do for your body is to start eating organic and whole foods.
It's all about taking baby steps though. Some people aren't big into changing their diet suddenly. I get that. My husband was not all for cutting things out cold-turkey. Some people just need to be weened off certain foods. One tip I could give you is to make it a priority to eat breakfast every day. EVERY DAY. And no, I don't mean grab a cup of coffee and go, or grab a "protein bar" and go. No, no, no, no, no. I've heard all the excuses-I don't have time, I'm not hungry, I'll get sick if I eat breakfast. I don't want to hear it. MAKE TIME. Make it a priority, it's important for your health. Numerous studies have shown that eating breakfast is one of the best ways to get a healthy weight and to "keep your glucose and insulin levels steady" (Michaels, 154). It's been proven in fact, that "women who don't eat breakfast are four and a half more times likely to be obese than women who do. People who never eat breakfast are also the most likely to develop type 2 diabetes" (Michaels, 154). Eat like a King at breakfast, make sure to get in your complex carbs, like oatmeal, or a high fiber cereal...even an omelet with some vegetables in it! One of my favorite things to have for breakfast, especially before a workout is peanut butter toast, with berries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries....ALL BERRIES, and a banana. We need this energy in the morning, it's one of the best things you can do for your body.
If you've gotten anything out of this entry, I hope you realize that buying organic doesn't make you a hippy, it means you actually care about taking care of your body, and EAT YOUR BREAKFAST. It's a great way to start your day and it helps give you that boost of energy that is necessary for your body to function properly throughout the day!
Want more tips on eating right? Want to know what gluten is, or where it is in your food? Then ask! I'm more than happy to answer questions!
Reference used:
Michaels, Jillian; Master Your Metabolism, Three Rivers Press, NY, 2009
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