Healthy

National Mediterranean Diet Month

May is National Mediterranean Diet Month!  I absolutely love this “diet” and personally strive to “eat the Mediterranean way” each and every day.  Research has shown that eating meals like the people in the Mediterranean region promotes health and reduces risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.   By following meal plans based on the Mediterranean diet principles, you get to enjoy more fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, fish and poultry.

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By Natalie, ago

Make Super Bowl Menus Healthy

Super Bowl Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays of the year!  Looking for ideas on how to make your menu healthy? Follow some of my tips below so that your food spread will be one that pleases everyone and keeps your waistline happy too!

Display the Colors of the Rainbow: 

Set out big trays of fresh fruits and veggies and pair them with protein rich hummus or my Peanut Butter Honey Yogurt Dip.  These trays not only add a splash of color to your table, but they are the supreme “power snacks” combining high fiber complex carbs with protein and heart healthy fats.  The combo of fiber, protein and fat help you to feel more full on less calories.

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By Natalie, ago

Tips for Getting Healthy in 2016, Week 4

Copyright_Stephanie_Kay_Photography

Copyright_Stephanie_Kay_Photography

It is the last full week of January, and how are you measuring up to your New Year’s resolutions?  If you find yourself back in the thick of struggling with old habits that you are not proud of, then this blog post is for you.  This week, I want to highlight on some things that I want you to consider not only in January, but for all of 2016.

 

Focus on what you CAN eat, not what you cannot.

When you turn the tables and really celebrate all the food choices still available to you, rather than focusing on those foods you cannot enjoy, your whole mindset makes a positive shift.   By beginning each day in a state of gratitude, you will start to see how endless nutrient-rich food possibilities actually are, and in time you will start to get excited for plain Greek yogurt topped with berries and walnuts and craving less for a piece of double chocolate cake for dessert.  By keeping your focus positive, it will become easier and easier to eat healthy and really enjoy the benefits of a nutritious diet. (more…)

By Natalie, ago

Tips for Getting Healthy in 2016, Week 3

Picture Courtesy of Best Western Hotel Cantur's Photostream

Picture Courtesy of Best Western Hotel Cantur’s Photostream

Can you believe the 3rd week of January is just about done?  How many of you are still keeping up with your New Year’s Resolutions?  Did you know that it takes about 21 days for a new habit to form?  And today is the 21st day of 2016….so how are you doing?  This week’s tips will give you some insight on how to make SMART goals and maintain the motivation to keep you working towards a healthier you for 2016.

Set SMART Goals

A very successful method that helps my clients achieve their goals, is using the SMART strategy.  A SMART goal is Specific, Measurable, Accountable, Realistic, and Time-bound.  Instead of stating “I will go to the gym 3 days a week”, I encourage my clients to really plan out their goal.  A revised SMART goal would be stated as follows: “I will go to the gym and use the elliptical for 30 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 6-6:30am”.    This goal is specific, measurable, accountable, realistic and time-bound.  Continue to revise your goals into SMART goals, and you will see a difference in how you approach and ultimately achieve them over time. (more…)

By Natalie, ago

2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Dietary_Guidelines_Image_2015_2020The 8th edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are a welcome change! Instead of the previous editions focusing on individual food groups, the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines now focus on healthy eating patterns’ food and nutrient characteristics. When I work with clients, I repeatedly emphasize the importance of balanced meals with good combinations of complex carbs (whole grains, fruits and veggies), lean protein (fish, poultry, beans, lean cuts of pork and red meat) and heart healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados).  This daily combination can minimize risks for chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease.  It is exciting to see that the Dietary Guidelines now emphasize this sort of balanced nutrition as well. (more…)

By Natalie, ago

Tips for Getting Healthy in 2016, Week 1

 Happy 2016!

At the beginning of every new year, many people make resolutions.  However, by the end of January, sadly many people are often frustrated and disappointed that their resolutions did not take hold.  Over the next couple of weeks, I am going to share with you some tips to help make 2016 be your year for nutritional health and wellness.  Each week, I hope that you try out the newest set of tips.  The key to any long-standing behavioral change, is to go slow and steady.  When you take on too much too soon, no matter how good the intentions may be, you almost always set yourself up for failure.  When I work with clients, we set weekly goals that are SMART and attainable.  It takes time and effort, but if the changes are consistent and small over time, success is within your reach.

This week’s tips include the following:

Forgo the strict and boring diet.

copyright Andrei_Zdetovetchi_Dreamtime_Stock_Photos

Copyright Andrei_Zdetovetchi_Dreamtime_Stock_Photos

First and foremost, I really dislike the word “diet”.  To me, it is the four letter word of healthy nutrition.  Rather, I want you to think of your new eating habits as healthy meal plans. It is important to keep your meal plans exciting not boring.  Variety is key to consuming all of the nutrients your body needs to be healthy.   Be sure to include fruits and veggies that you really like.  Not a big fan of kale?  No worries, use baby spinach or romaine lettuce in your salads and smoothies.  By including fruits and veggies that you like in your meals, you will actually look forward to eating your food, versus arriving at the table with a sense of dread. (more…)

By Natalie, ago