Wednesday, August 26, 2009

More About Eating Healthy

I've been on a health binge. Not a bad thing, right? In my obsessiveness to eat better, I'm finding that baking is the way to go. I've been making granola bars, biscotti, and breakfast cookies. Besides that, I've made my own croutons and salad dressing. I still have bad stuff, but I really don't crave it as much as before. I'm not sure if it's because I'm adding so much more fiber to my diet that I'm just satisfied. For instance, the breakfast cookies that I've been baking have pumpkin puree, which fills me up and still satisfies my sweet tooth. Another thing I've added to my diet is yogurt.

Besides the changes I've been making, I have a different outlook on food. I don't look at it as eating, but more like fueling. That mindset is making a tremendous difference. I eat food in order to keep my energy levels up not because I feel like eating. So every 4 hrs or so, I snack on something or if it's dinner time I eat a meal. If there's no time to eat, then I continue my snacking (this is for when I'm at work). I pack my purse with very healthy stuff (whatever I've been baking) and bring it to work. I no longer reach for a roll or french fries.

With school starting on Tuesday the 1st, I foresee myself snacking more than having meals at night. Monday through Wednesday, I will be working in the morning and driving directly to class. There really won't be time to sit down and have a meal. Once I get home, I'm not going to start cooking, either. I will have to have power snacks to help me throughout the day.

By the way, I came across an article (which of course I can't find now to link) that states that women should only have 6 teaspoons of sugar a day and men 8. What? I have 3 teaspoons of sugar in my coffee! The article basically spoke about how Americans eat way to much processed foods and we're unhealthy. If you want to have more sugar, then you should exercise that way you burn off the sugar.

How am I suppose to cut out sugar? I have no idea. The article scared me. My family has a history of diabetes. Is it inevitable for me? I'm not sure. But if 6 teaspoons of sugar is all we're suppose to have, then I'm in trouble. I don't know how I feel about using Splenda (which I use on occasion) instead of sugar. I want to eat natural foods and that's not natural. I'll have to do some research on this.

Anyway, that's what's been on my mind as of late. Until next time!

5 comments:

Xia Diaz said...

Here's the link:

http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=800

Xia Diaz said...

I can't even finish eating my yogurt because it has 29 grams of sugar. Ugh...

all that's right, or not said...

If it makes you feel better you definitely need more than 6 teaspoons. Your body uses sugar first as it's fuel to burn, not just pure sugar but carbs and that kind of stuff. If you dont' have enough it uses protein as fuel to keep it going, that is our muscle, and lastly it uses fat. So although too much is not good, you can still have it in your coffee and not feel bad.

Xia Diaz said...

That does make me feel better, but I still should probably cut down.

Nyla said...

I would love to come over for some of your baking! yum! My hubby just started the Eat To Live life style change...all fruits and veggies! I keep saying I am going to do it with him...but I just gotta have a coffee and some chicken!
Good luck!