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I don't know about you, but many of us seem to enter the new year with a few extra pounds. Let's face it, it's hard to avoid the indulgence of the holidays. Unfortunately, when it's all over you can't just exchange your body at the nearest customer service department for one in a more preferable size. But hey, it's '05. The year is a clean slate, so there's no better time to get back on the moderation wagon. While moderation might sound a little bland at first, it's no big deal compared to denial or dieting, is it? First, limit your intake of simple sugars in favor of complex carbohydrates. Second, when it comes to indulging, skip saturated fats and instead go for foods full of monounsaturated fats, like nuts, California Ripe Olives and avocados. (Avoid fats altogether and you're sure to sink into a depression.) Most importantly, remember to take the time to prepare, sit down and enjoy flavorful foods, rather than nibbling through twice as many calories on the go. The reward is you'll feel great, look as fabulous as ever and have lots more energy in the end. But, hey, if that's not good enough, I say, go buy yourself a new pair of shoes, you'll deserve those too. Ready to learn more sure fire ways to maintain a healthy diet? Check out what nutritionists are reading. TOP
The Carb Complex It all sounded so simple when we first heard about Dr. Atkins and his counterintuitive approach to losing weight. Eat fat and protein and eliminate carbs and all will be thin, merry and bright. Does it work? Frequently. Is it healthy? Not entirely. You see, our bodies do need complex carbs to function and too much fat (just as we always thought) is as harmful as ever. The most important thing to take away from the low-carb approach is that fiber, found in complex carbohydrates, is a good thing. In fact, Dr. Atkins even says that we can subtract it out of our carb count to yield what he calls "Net Carbs". It's simple sugars from things like white bread, cookies and chips that we all agree are less than essential. This is the stuff that'll really pack on the pounds.
Of course, the biggest reason that the low-carb approach has so much appeal is that it gives us the freedom to indulge in high fat foods as much as we want, so long as there's no bread in sight. Fat is flavor and we like flavor, but frequently it comes at a price. If you eat lots of saturated fats instead of monounsaturated fats, your waistline may shrink, but your lifeline is bound to suffer. Arteries get clogged, hearts malfunction and certain cancers thrive under these conditions. Now is that really worth it?
O.K., it won't get you to drop a pant size in five days or lose ten pounds over the course of a week. So, what's the point of moderation? Those other diets may work immediately, but just like the holidays, their power will fade with the New Year. On the other hand, if you commit to a healthy lifestyle, full of exercise, rest and moderate amounts of the right kinds of foods, you'll enjoy the benefits of a fit body and trim figure all year long. Remember, too little of a good thing and you'll die of boredom, too much and there's a whole list of things that can go wrong. Use this list to stock up your fridge and pantry in 2005 and we know you'll have a happy and healthy year. |
Does this mean that I gave the bah humbug to snickerdoodles and gingerbread last year? Come on, do I really come across as that much of a Scrooge? My philosophy is to enjoy some, share more--and when it comes time to prepare dinner, get a little more complex. Set aside that spaghetti and throw some whole grains into the mix. For instance, enter the wonderful world of wheatberries. Chewy, nutty and toasty, this recipe will have your whole family wanting more. 
