Don’t be a Squirrel Chaser

Did you know that most people would rather figure out their own taxes than figure out how to eat healthy?

I don’t blame them. It can be a confusing world out there. One person says, “Eat this,” while someone else says, “Eat that.” Another source is telling you “Don’t even think about putting this into your body,” while an alternative source is telling you, “You must eat this on a daily basis if you want to live another five years!”

Then you hear cooking techniques, “Eat only raw food. That’s the way we were meant to eat.” While someone else says, “Don’t eat only raw food. There’s too much bacteria. You’ll get sick!” And you can’t forget all the drinking suggestions, tap water vs. bottled water vs. coconut water, etc.

What are we supposed to believe? How are we supposed to make the best choices for us when we are receiving mixed messages? And then, how are we supposed to feel confident about our food choices, once they’re made?

What we choose to put in our bodies is so important because it’s something that we do more than once a day, unlike working out. In other words, in one day you either intentionally exercise or you don’t. It’s one choice you make. On the other hand, how many meals do you eat in a day? Hopefully more than one! You may be eating 3-6 times a day. That means that you have 3-6 times to make healthy or unhealthy choices. That’s why the food choices that we make every meal are so important to our overall health.

So, what’s the answer? What should you eat and drink? Red meat or no read meat? Tap water or coconut water? Raw or cooked?

My first suggestion is, don’t be a squirrel chaser. In other words, don’t make big changes to your diet because something new comes out. There are constantly new ideas coming out. With social media, any new idea can go viral and make us believe that we need to drastically change something. Well, simply put, don’t.

Here’s why: the key is to have variety, meaning vary your consumption of meats, vary your vegetables, vary your fruits, vary your water, and vary your style of cooking, or not cooking. When your diet has variety, then you will consume nutrients from many different sources. If we cut out certain foods, how will we get the nutrients contained in those foods? What’s more, variety is fun, it tastes good to eat different foods, and it’s also good for our health.

Food variety is just one of the areas covered in my “ReINVENT Your Health” 6-week online coaching program coming up next month, but there are many more, from how certain foods affect your brain function and mood, to processed and perishable foods, to emotional eating. You’ll have fun watching videos, reading stories about women like you, and trying out a number of activities so that you can be in the best health you can be. I’ve created this with you in mind.

Do your health a favor and take a moment to read more about how my program can enhance your health and in turn, enhance your life. I truly believe it will.  Click here for more information.

Your health and wellness coach in your 50’s,

Kim