With warmer weather approaching, people tend to forget about mindful eating and sometimes get caught up in the moment. Why sabotage yourself and make eating harder than it needs to be? Stick to some basic rules for clean eating and make it a healthy lifestyle.
Planning Ahead
Plan your week ahead of time. If you’re having a cookout on the weekend, make extra chicken for the upcoming week. It is easy to throw chicken, hard-boiled eggs and vegetables all on a bed of spinach for lunches during the week.
If you want to have dessert, save it for the weekend or make sure it is something that will really satisfy you. That’s because when you eat sweets, you will have cravings for three days after. So when you eat a dessert, you will have to show some restraint and discipline for the following three days.
Stick to Protein
You can’t go wrong with protein. Steaks, burgers, chicken and lean meat are usually always available at meals. Fill up on healthy protein before you go for the carbs and sweets. Your stomach will fill up faster and thank you for it.
Alcohol
Always match your alcohol with 1-2 times as much water. If you drink a beer, drink 1-2 glasses of water before you have another one. Red wine helps with digestion and has some antioxidants. If you are going to drink beer, stick with a Guinness. It is hard to drink a lot of Guinness’s in a row.
Source
The better source of your food, the better it is for you. Even if you think you are having a healthy option, it is not good for your body if it comes from a bad source. Find a local co-op that sells local organic food. It is more expensive but worth it.
Options
Keep your house, car and work place stacked with healthy food options. I always keep packets of almond butter, whole yogurt and protein bars nearby. Snacks with less than four ingredients are a good rule of thumb. I try to eat every 2-3 hours. That way I will not be tempted by things I should not be eating.
Remember if you are working your ass off in the gym, don’t sabotage yourself in the kitchen. It is always easier to stick to a routine than it is to start over. Find what works with your busy lifestyle and duplicate it. If you have a cheat or bad day, don’t beat yourself up and starve yourself the next day. Stick to the plan; moderation is key.
