If you conducted some research you would find a connection between the rise in convenient highly processed food and the rise in obesity in America. Processed food is filled with calories, refined sugars, fat and sodium. Processed foods are also low in nutrients and eating too many not only causes us to gain weight, but they also increase your risk of developing many diseases such as Type II diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease.
As I’ve mentioned before we are a quick fix mindset type of society and we all love to grab something out of a box and run out the door on our way to work or to our kids’ activities. We have also become accustomed to running through the drive thru of various fast food places with our busy lifestyle.
It really is possible to eat much less of the fast foods and highly processed packaged foods and eat real foods. You might be thinking, what is considered a real food? Maybe you think that the fast food and food you pulled out of the box is real food, because it’s food.
Real foods are defined as single-ingredient foods that are rich in vitamins, lack chemical additives and are mostly unprocessed. A few examples of real foods include: Apples, brown rice, sweet potatoes, berries, broccoli, almonds, and flaxseeds.
Here are 5 reasons why eating real foods can help you lose weight and maintain your weight loss:
Real Foods are Nutritious – whole, unprocessed plant and animal foods are packed with vitamins and minerals. Nutrients in whole foods also tend to work together. This is called food synergy. An example of food synergy is sautéing tomatoes in olive oil. The olive oil actually brings out more of the lycopene in the tomatoes. Eating real foods helps us obtain the vital nutrients and vitamins and can help improve or prevent nutritional deficiencies and reduce hunger.
Real food is Packed with Protein– Although I have never been an advocate of the Atkins Diet, protein is very important when you are trying to lose weight or even maintain weight. It is the #1 most important nutrient for fat loss. It helps increase your metabolism, reduce hunger and affects the production of hormones that help regulate weight. Real food sources of protein include lean cuts of meat, eggs legumes and nuts
Real Foods do not Contain Refined Sugars – Highly processed foods are sugar bombs. As a society, we should be as concerned with limiting added sugars as we are with saturated fat and sodium. Fruits and vegetables contain natural sugars, but also provide other nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and water, which are all part of a balanced diet. >>>Refined sugars are often added to processed foods. The two most common types of added sugars are high fructose corn syrup and table sugar. I recently attended a conference talking about holistic ways to prevent and treat cancer and the expert called white cane sugar, “white death.” That’s a pretty powerful statement. Cancer feeds off sugar so the more sugar in our system the greater our chances for developing cancer. >>>Refined sugars are found in some of the tastiest foods such as cakes, cookies, ice cream and candy. If the cancer scare wasn’t enough to limit your intake of these tasty goodies, besides doing little to keep you full, refined sugars can actually increase the production of the hunger hormone ghrelin and dim the brain’s ability to make you feel full. This is the obesity link for having a diet that is high in refined sugars.
Real Foods May Reduce Sugar Cravings – This tip might just convince you to give up your favorite cookie. If you intentionally start eating more real foods, you just might not crave those sugary foods. Fruits like berries and stone fruits like peaches provide a healthier sweet fix, helping you satisfy your sweet cravings when you start reducing your sugar intake. >>>Eating more real foods may help your taste buds adapt and your sugar cravings may decrease over time or possibly even disappear. Google some recipes for fruit without adding any added sugars to the fruit. With summer around the corner it’s a great time to grill some different fruit for a healthy dessert.
You Can Eat More Food and Still Lose Weight – This has to be the best tip yet! For all of you foodies out there like me that absolutely love to eat this is a good thing to know! Real foods contain a good portion of air and water which are calorie-free. As an example, ½ pound of pumpkin contains about 45 calories and would take up a greater portion of your plate than a single slice of bread containing 66 calories. That single slice of bread will not be nearly as filling as the ½ pound of pumpkin. Foods with fewer calories and more volume can fill you up more than foods with more calories and less volume. They stretch the stomach, and the stomach’s stretch receptors signal the brain to stop eating. The brain then responds by producing hormones that reduce your appetite and increase your feelings of fullness. Some food choices that are high volume but low in calories pumpkin, cucumbers, berries and air-popped popcorn.
I can’t recommend enough for the whole family to just eat more real foods. Take some time over the weekend to prep snacks and meals for easy grab and go convenience. You will not only be healthier, but you will save money by not stopping at the nearest fast food joint or restaurant.
Happy Eating & Healthy Regards, Stacy
Source: Authority Nutrition- 11 Reasons Why Real Foods Help You Lose Weight
~ Announcing ~ NewHealthy 4 Life PartnershipsHealthy 4 Life is adding some additional products under its umbrella to offer our clients
Nspire Network We have recently partnered with the brand new company, Nspire Network as they have a non-toxic product called the Cherish pad. What I didn’t know until a few months ago is that what we buy at the store contains dioxin from the wood pulp being bleached.Dioxin is a by-product of the bleaching process and is a toxin that can cause cancer. The Cherish pad is not bleached, is super absorbent and also contains negative ion technology which has been proven to balance pH and hormone levels, protect against germs and bacteria, reduce inflammation, fight against vaginal irritations and infections and reduce unwanted order. The pad is also infused with Far-Infrared technology to help balance pH and boost the immune system along with Nano-Silver to help eliminate bacteria.I have been able to sample this new product and is helps alleviate cramping. Within an hour of using it, my cramping subsided. Studies of the pad show that it can alleviate cramping and also shorten the menstrual cycle.The Nspire Network also offers ALL NATURAL supplements to boost your memory, boost testosterone for athletes, a natural supplement to keep men’s prostate’s healthy and his and her libido boosters. The men’s version is comparable to Viagra and Cialis.
Juice Plus I have also recently partnered with Juice Plus since their supplements contain powdered real foods. They also offer healthy protein shakes and bars. These two companies are in line with my values of a real food lifestyle and non-toxic living. Please contact me if you have any questions about either company or if you would like any additional information.
Healthy 4 Life’s Healthy Recipe of the Month Grilled Teriyaki Shrimp Kebabs
Tender and juicy, shrimp are a quick pick for a fresh meal. These brightly flavored kebabs feature chunks of fresh pineapple, teriyaki sauce, shrimp, and red onions. Serve with mashed sweet potatoes and grilled asparagus for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Sauce:
1/4 cup low-sodium teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
Kebabs:
48 large peeled and deveined shrimp (about 1 1/2 pounds)
To prepare sauce, combine teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds in a small bowl.
To prepare kebabs, thread 6 shrimp, 4 pineapple chunks, and 1 onion wedge alternately onto each of 8 (10-inch) skewers. Brush kebabs with teriyaki mixture. Place kebabs on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 8 minutes or until shrimp are done, turning once.
Prep Time: 40 minutes Nutrition Info calories 254 | calories from fat 14% | fat 4g | sat fat 0.7g | monofat 0.8g | polyfat 1.6g | protein 35.6g | carbohydrate 17.6g | fiber 1.9g | cholesterol 259mg | iron 4.6mg | sodium 514mg | calcium 110mg
HEALTHY 4 LIFE’S CUSTOMIZED PERSONAL CONSULTATION PACKAGES
Customized 3-month packages created after FREE 30 minute discovery consultation session to address your specific health concern for you and/or your child
Discovery session conducted in person or via phone/video conference
Session resources and homework (don’t worry it’s not graded) included
One scheduled one-hour meeting or conference/video call per week
Goal setting & accountabilty throughout program
Continued accountablility in online Facebook support group for all clients
Sign up today for your FREE 30-minute consultation to take control of your health and wellness!
Contact: Stacy D. Fehlinger | Certified Health Coach Healthy 4 Life, LLC (678) 719-2283 | Email: Stacy@longevitycoachstacy.com
Does your pantry contain food that could be hurting you or your family’s health?
Schedule your HEALTHY PANTRY MAKEOVER today to find out!
Here are the details of a pantry makeover:
Nothing you currently have in your pantry is thrown out!
Receive handouts on topics such as healthy substitutions
Introduction to traffic light eating
Learn how to read a food nutrition label
A pantry makeover takes approximately an hour to complete and costs $45
>Check this out… Two brand new vegan flavors of Shakeology: Cafe Latte and Vanilla
>On Sale in May: BeachBody on Demand
Clean up your routine with the All-Access Challenge Pack. One bundle, one year: unlimited workouts + nutrient-dense Shakeology + portion control containers = Best. Deal. Ever. And now on sale for just $160USD (regularly $199USD). #SpringIntoHealth.
Local Farmer’s Markets
>Lost Mountain Park Farmers Market: Every Tuesday: 3pm-7pm: 4723 Dallas Hwy, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127 >Marietta Square Farmers Market: Every Saturday morning January through December, and on Sundays from 12-3 pm from May through October. Located in North Park Square in Historic Marietta Square >Kennesaw Farmers Market: Every Monday afternoon from May through September: Depot Park, 2829 Cherokee Street, Kennesaw, GA 30144 >Acworth Farmers Market: Every Friday morning, April 7th to end of October, 8am to noon.
Join us on May 19, 11:30am to 1:30pm, at The Olive Tree Restaurant in downtown Hiram, GA for a unique women-only networking event in a safe, supportive environment with great food and great conversation! Register at http://xperienceconnections.com/spotlight/hiram/.
Business & Marketing Coaching Opportunity Interested in creating a structured reusable marketing schedule to include a sales page, landing page and automatic email lists? Join business coach Stephanie Hines in her Marketing Mastermind group starting soon. Get all the details from Stephanie at 404-850-0055 | Coaching@StephanieHines.com | www.StephanieHines.com.
The Ultimate Women’s Expo—Saturday-Sunday, June 3-4 The Atlanta Ultimate Women’s Expo will be taking place in the Spring on June 3-4, 2017 (also n the Fall on November 4-5, 2017) at the Georgia World Congress Center. For more info and to register, link to www.atlantawomensexpo.com.
Say YES! to Six Figures—Thursday, June 22 Join Business Strategist / Mentor / Trainer Donna Lang and 100+ Business Owners on June 22nd, 9am to 5pm, for a business training event in beautiful North Atlanta that will “Put Your Business On a “Profit Fast Track!”. Lunch, Snacks, Workbook Included. Register at http://www.smarttoolscoaching.com/say-yes-to-6-figures.html
Bentwater Back-To-School Wellness Fair—Saturday, August 5 3pm-6 pm at the Bentwater Activities Center: 3730 Cedarcrest Rd, Acworth, GA 30101
Wellness & Leadership Retreat—October 13-15 A weekend filled with fitness, seminars and fun! More details coming soon on location and price. Mark your calendars as this is an event you will not want to miss!
L.E.A.N. is LIFESTYLE, EXERCISE, ATTITUDE & NUTRITION Developed by America’s Pediatrician, Dr. William Sears L.E.A.N. Start Parent Workshop: Cost: $99.00Sign up for this amazing parent workshop and learn proven ways to boost your child’smood, attitude, behavior, study habits, energy and health!
6 hours of instruction in a self paced environment over 3-week period
Learn the L.E.A.N. program basics with topics including traffic light eating, the skinny on fat, powering up with protein and play, and more!
All materials and homework (don’t worry it’s not graded) provided online
Includes activities & healthy recipes
One scheduled conference call per week
Goal setting & accountabilty throughout workshop
Continued accountablility in online Facebook support group for all partcipants
Online Workshops begin every 3 weeks. Contact Stacy for the next start date.
Workshops Led by Stacy Fehlinger Now offering: >>>Workshops as PARTIES and attendance is FREE for the host who brings 2 guests to their workshop! >>>Online workshops of L.E.A.N. Start and Prime-Time Health. These workshops are self-paced learning and consist of 6 hours of instruction with a weekly telephone conference call. ~Contact Stacy at stacy@longevitycoachstacy.com for further information~
Are you looking for ways toimprove your child’s attitude, boost their energy and improve their health? Sign up for this amazing parent workshop and learn proven ways to boost your child’s mood, attitude, behavior, study habits, energy and health!
Could your child’s behavior be related to what they are eating? Come to my L.E.A.N. Start Workshop to learn how certain foods can affect behavior and more.
Are you pregnant or considering becoming pregnant? If so, join my L.E.A.N. Expectations Workshop to learnthe links between nutrition and a healthy pregnancy.
Prime-Time Health is for you if you want to take charge of your health, prevent disease, avoid disability and spend money on something other than doctors!
Photos courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net: Wooden Bowl With Salad by Serge Bertasius Photography Fresh Raspberry And Blueberry Cake by KEKO64 Slice Pumpkin Isolated On The White Background by khumthong Organic Wheat Grains by KEKO64
As a society, we should be as concerned with limiting added sugars as we are with saturated fat and sodium. Fruits and vegetables contain natural sugars, but also provide other nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and water, which are all part of a balanced diet. >>>
you foodies out there like me that absolutely love to eat this is a good thing to know! Real foods contain a good portion of air and water which are calorie-free. As an example, ½ pound of pumpkin contains about 45 calories and would take up a greater portion of your plate than a single slice of bread containing 66 calories. That single slice of bread will not be nearly as filling as the ½ pound of pumpkin. Foods with fewer calories and more volume can fill you up more than foods with more calories and less volume. They stretch the stomach, and the stomach’s stretch receptors signal the brain to stop eating. The brain then responds by producing hormones that reduce your appetite and increase your feelings of fullness. Some food choices that are high volume but low in calories pumpkin, cucumbers, berries and air-popped popcorn.
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