PLANTS DO ANY BODY GOOD…
The U.S. is (was) the richest nation in the world, yet a tenth of the population has diabetes, and heart disease is the number-one chronic disease killer, all largely due to our unhealthy food culture. America the Great! Wait — not so fast, we’re not so great when it comes to our diet. The numbers don’t lie.
one egg contains 60% of daily limit of cholesterol consumption
Our food system is a national disgrace and a public health disaster. The sad truth is we are under attack by a large and powerful industrial food cartel that sets us up to eat large portions of highly addictive, heavily-processed, densely-caloric, low-nutritional food.
The fact is, we are a nation that over-consumes meat, dairy, eggs, refined sugar, bad fats, and processed foods. WE ARE ADDICTS, plain and simple.
And, before you can stop addictive behavior, you have to understand the nature of your addiction. Will power alone, is not going to cut it! That’s why choosing to eat well, is a constant fight for so many Americans.
When was the last time you passed by a billboard with a giant salad on it, encouraging you to eat those healthy leafy greens? Or when was the last time you saw a commercial that makes drinking water look sexy instead of what you normally see, which is high fructose poisoned soft drinks. Oh—and then there’s the brainwashing messages that offer us “double-double” meat and more, more cheese.” If the pizza companies add any more cheese and meat to their pizzas, they should have to put a health warning label on the box, just like cigarettes. Cheese and pizza are the top 2 sources of artery-clogging saturated fat in the American diet. One slice of extra-cheesy pizza can contain as much as two-thirds of your daily saturated fat limit.
Fortunately there is an intelligent way to fight belt-busting food consumption-plants. From celebrities to the teen next door, It seems that going plant-based is becoming a new health movement. Once I saw “Forks Over Knives” it was game over, and I knew I had to take healthy eating seriously. My mind had sufficiently been revolutionized. But, I must admit, it’s a constant battle for me too!
So, how can you break your addiction to “too-much and unhealthy?”
By understanding some of the underlying dietary saboteurs. Armed with knowledge, you can intelligently just say no, or you can at least say “not so much.” It’s time to become truly informed and empowered. It’s time to become accountable. We have the power to heal ourselves by changing what goes in our mouth, without starving. Plant-based food choices are the path.
Now you may have zero interest in converting to 100% vegan, and know in your heart, never getting to enjoying your favorite comfort food again, is not going to happen. Believe me I “overstand”, but don’t let that be your excuse to do nothing.
A good place to start is the 80/20 rule, or what is being referred to as the Flexitarian approach.
You get to be healthy and have your cake and eat it too. The other great news here is, you can eat when you’re hungry and eat until you’re full. No portion control, calorie counting or carb counting. Simply choose from the right food categories, and you can eat until you’re full. I guarantee you, you’ll find it hard to over eat a big bowl of broccoli, no matter how good it taste.
THE 80/20 RULE.
Start by consuming 80% plant based whole foods. For the remaining 20%, go ahead and eat a little meat/chicken/fish. Just make sure to strive for high quality as much as possible (grass fed/pasture raised/wild). This would also include whatever your favorite comfort foods are. By giving yourself permission to eat these foods, it will help take away the obsessive behavior that is often the result of telling ourselves we can never do something.
I know for me, the minute I say I can’t eat another piece of fried chicken, that’s all I want. The foods you love are not going to leave the planet. One way I work my diet out is to eat really good during the week, and then let Sunday be my “eat whatever I want day.” This way I don’t feel deprived. But, it’s funny, after eating nutrient rich whole foods all week, I don’t go as crazy as I think I will. In fact, I found that my cravings for sugar decreased, and eating my beloved mac and cheese, actually makes me feel yucky.
I hope this big nudge, is enough to get you moving toward a whole food, plant-based, focused diet. If you choose to move forward, keep in mind, the effort you make is a marathon, not a sprint. If you are one of the majority of Americans with chronic health problems, you certainly didn’t get yourself into poor health overnight.
Likewise, the healing process will take time. It can take a good bit of time to untangle yourself from the habits and patterns you’ve had your whole life. But, you do have the power to be healthier and happier than you ever imagined possible, by eating foods that are good for you and good to you!
Much success on your whole foods, plant-based journey.
Information and statements made in this article are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. This site does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by this site are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, please consult with your physician.
