Food Quality and Results

The Metabolic Power Of Quality

Finding your metabolic power is a process and it doesn’t happen overnight. However, once you find it…you will reach and maintain your body’s natural weight.

I’ve got GREAT NEWS….YOU have the power within you to find it! 

NOW GO and CLAIM IT!

The key to finding your metabolic power resides with in you. Last week you learned the first step, Breathing, also referred to as Relaxation…have you been practicing?  You will notice that when the breathing technique is applied before, during and after meals that you are not as “stuffed”, the body digests the food more efficiently, and you have increased energy. In a nut shell…you burned more calories!

The next step is Quality

The quality of food you put in your body is so important. The body metabolizes food best when it is wholesome food, food that comes from the ground, flies above the earth, roams the earth or swims in the sea.  So, here it is, quick and easy:

Elevate the Quality of your food. Poor food quality INCREASES food QUANTITY. We tend to eat too much food because the food you are eating is nutrient deficient.

Quality Means:

• Real
• Fresh
• Organic
•  Gourmet
• Lovingly crafted
• Homemade
• Locally produced
• Heirloom varieties
• Nutrient dense
• Low in human – made toxins
• Grown and marketed with honesty and integrity
• Tasteful
• Filled with true flavor
• Care and consciousness permeate a food and the food itself has a good story to tell

Reduce or Eliminate:

Poor quality fats, sugar, white flour, processed or packaged foods, dairy and meats(these foods SUPPRESS metabolic potential) Please note that I said POOR quality. When including dairy and meat in your eating protocol, go for organic, fresh varieties.

So, what about the “healthy” packaged foods we find at health food stores and markets?

This is a great question.

Here are the best guidelines for those instances:

• Check the ingredient list first
• Check for knowledge of those ingredients – do you know what they are?
• 5 ingredients or less UNLESS all “10” are foods like nuts, seeds, fruits etc…
• Corn products are usually GMO – go for organic varieties.
• Now check out the nutritional label
• Sugar grams – less than 5
• Fiber – up!
• NOTE that saturated fat may be listed high if the item contains nuts and seeds or other essential fats. THAT IS OK! Fat is not the enemy that food companies have touted it to be,  as you will see below.

Health Giving Fats:

• Avocado
• Olives – emphasize variety
• Fresh Fish – Ocean or stream caught – not farm raised – variety
• Nuts and seeds – organic
• Nut Butter – peanut butter, almond butter, sesame butter
• Free Range Eggs
• Organic Dairy products

One thing I find interesting is the health issues that are centered around poor nutrition or NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY.  For example, look at the list below, do you complain of any of these?

irritability, fatigue, dull and brittle hair, dry skin, redness around the eyes, digestive complaints, constipation, inability to lose weight and mood disorders

Guess what, those are all symptoms of Clinical Fat deficiency! This can be offset by changing your diet to the Health Giving Fats listed above. This is only one example of the effects of poor nutrition, i.e. eating low-end mass processed foods.

It all comes Naturally

Are you one to worry about the percentages of how much protein, fats, carbohydrates, and sugar…etc you need in your daily diet. Wouldn’t it be easy if it came naturally?

Well, put away the calculator….there is not a “perfect” balance of these macro-nutrients known to man.  It is just a guesstimate.  You know your body better than anyone in the world.  So why give those decisions to someone who doesn’t know your body?

 The easiest way to start is to include a protein, an essential fat and a carbohydrate (vegetable or fruit form) at every meal or snack.

Your body is speaking to you right now…. letting you know if the position you are in is comfortable. Are you having to move around to find that comfy spot? Are you feeling stiffness creep in to your spine? That is your body telling you to get up and move. It is sending a message. It does the same thing with FOOD. If you eat low quality food….several hours later, you are going to know about it. Watch for the symptoms and the signals your body gives you.

One way to begin “hearing” your body talk is by keeping a journal. Journal the food you eat, the time, your internal rhythm (are you feeling relaxed…or up tight and on the run?), and how you feel after.  Make note of physical signs after eating. Learn what foods have a GREAT effect on your body and what foods have a “not” so great effect.

“By getting rid of poor quality foods in your diet, you will curb carbohydrate cravings and discover your body’s natural intelligence in determining portions, percentages, and amounts.”

Do this if you haven’t yet😊

Clean out the low-end mass produced unenlightened food products from your home and replace them with high quality counterparts. Focus on foods from the list above.  Hit the target at least 80% if the time. The overall direction of your diet is QUALITY. Need a little help getting started?  Download Real Food Meal Planning Guide and Shopping List for guidance to get started eating HIGH quality foods.

If you tend to eat out, then educate yourself on the quality restaurants located in your area.

Make the best choice for your body. It is the only one you’ve got :o) …so, feed it good quality fresh foods and you will be richly rewarded with a body that has energy for all the events and activities you love, one that has staying power in this life.

During this next week continue to relax, practice breathing and slowing down your internal rhythm, PLUS focus on the quality of your food. Kick out the low quality foods and BRING IN THE HIGH QUALITY FOODS!

Enjoy your journey to CLAIMING your Metabolic Power!

Ashly

Holistic Eating & Body Love Coach

References: Marc David, Nutritionist, founder of Institute for the Psychology of Eating, author of the Slow Down Diet

Check out this video for more on Quality