A Simpler Approach
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the information surrounding diet and nutrition? Every time you turn around there is another article or study telling you what you can or can't eat. Not to long ago I was waiting in a dentists office and within half a hour I read two different articles one telling me how bad coffee was and one toting the health benefits. How does the average person makes sense out of the wealth of information out there? Here is a couple of suggestions.

It's really pretty simple, most people will get better if they eat less junk food, fast food and sugar, and eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and proteins. Simply cut out the processed foods, the artificial, prepackaged fake food and eat more whole foods. Don't worry too much about portions or fancy recipes just spend a little more time in the vegetable aisle. Notice I didn't say no junk food, meat, dairy or sugar, that isn't realistic. We make it too hard when we try really restrictive diet, with lists of dos or don'ts or meal plans that require excessive time, money and effort to complete.

Second, in the midst of all the reading, listening and practicing the advice of professionals we have forgotten to listen to our own bodies. Our body is constantly giving us clues as to what we need and don't need. Start paying attention to how your body feels after you eat certain foods. How does your body feel after breakfast, do you have enough energy to get you through the morning? Maybe you need to add some protein or cut out the coffee. Your body will tell you. How about after eating junk food do you feel nourished and energized or heavy and full?

Before the shelves were filled with diet manuals and movies stars supported a different meal plan every month, before pills, supplements and surgeries. Long before we were counting calories, fat grams, and nutrition facts, people listened to their bodies. People didn't eat things that made them sick or tired. We know our bodies better than anyone out there.

So if you have been feeling confused lately try a simple approach this coming week. Take a break from reading health magazines, books and studies. Throw all the diets, fancy cookbooks and recipes out the window and stop trying to figure it all out or trying to make perfect sense of everything you read. Pick one junky food you eat and cut it out and add in one or two healthier items. More importantly, begin to listen to your body. That doesn't sound to overwhelming does it?

Learn more about this author, Aubry Hoffman.
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