Nutrition Reboot [The Wagon – Part 3]

Welcome to part 3 of the The Wagon series where I log my journey to get back to real health and wellness. Check back for part 1 and part 2 of where I’ve started.

The Third Step

My third step was taking a closer look at my nutrition and creating a starting point of getting it back on track. My first rule of food that I know holds true for me is that if it’s in the house I will eat it.

So toss the majority of the processed foods in your cupboard. That’s the junk, candy, and packaged goods that you know you have no willpower against. Notice that I said majority. I don’t believe that going extreme always works. So for me, I know I won’t eat salads right now without ranch. Partly because I need to work on testing healthy dressings I actually like, and partly because I know I won’t go overboard on the ranch but I still really want it. So keep one or two things around that you know you’ll be able to portion control and not go crazy on, that way you don’t have to feel like you’re giving everything up at once.

Foods that are my Achilles heel

Oreos and tortilla chips are two things I will not bring in the house. I am obsessed with them. I cannot portion control myself when they are in front of me. I keep the ranch and caramel rice cakes because I know I can portion control them, and I love them both so I don’t toss those. Small steps.

You don’t have to get rid of everything

But I did have to get some thing. I went to the store and stocked up on plenty of fruits, veggies, and healthy starches plus spices and other condiments like salsa that I know I would love to eat. Part of being healthy when your fighting cravings is setting yourself up to win by having an abundance of plant based and healthy foods in your house.

So start by tossing the few things that you can’t control yourself around, and save a few that you can. And then go get yourself tons of healthy foods to fill your cupboards so that there are plenty of choices when you are hungry and need to reach for something to eat.

Good starters at the grocery store

Veggies: Asparagus, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Parsnips, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Onion, Garlic, Frozen Veggie Bags with no sauce

Fruit: Berries, Bananas, Oranges, Apples, Pears, Melons, Frozen Fruit no sugar added

Carbohydrates: Potatoes, Rice, Quinoa, Sprouted Grain Products, Lentils, Beans, Oats

Fats; Unrefined Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Avocado, Nuts

Dairy: Raw Cheese, Greek Yogurt, Almond Milk (not really dairy lol)

Meat: Grass fed Beef, Pastured Chicken and Eggs, Wild Caught Fish

Other: Salt free seasoning, Veggie or Chicken Stock, Liquid Aminos, Yellow Mustard, Vinegar, Salsa, Rice Cakes, Organic Popcorn

These are all just suggestions and how I usually start my lists. If you don’t eat some of this stuff, just stick to what you do. If you feel adventurous, then branch out! It’s up to you, just find the healthy foods you will eat (even if you have only a few you can stand) and work on eating lots of those and trying out some and getting to know how you like to eat them.

What is your weakness when it comes to portion controlling food? Is it the same as mine? Or are you an ice cream and deep friend wings fanatic?

Step 1: Set a small achievable goal – eating out only 1 time a week

Step 2: Step off the scale

Step 3: Dump the bad foods, stock up on the good ones

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