Are you always running high on stress and low on battery when it should be vice versa? You may be experiencing carb overload. Some carbohydrates are the nemesis of a healthy bod so cut out the crap ones and change the way you feel, now.
A five day eating plan will be published on HerFamily.ie next week that removes simple carbohydrates from your diet. This plan will curb sugar cravings over a five day period. After that detox you may introduce good carbs once again. I suggest this kick-start before the plan rolls out:
1. Remove all sweets and starches (the bad carbs)
These particular carbs will raise your blood sugar and make you succumb to further binging. Cut them out. Go cold turkey and abstain. Remember the first day is always the hardest but, you must follow through.
2. Substitute rice for cauliflower
Try these swaps to reset your body: Instead of rice choose cauliflower rice, instead of pitta bread choose large leaves of iceberg lettuce, and instead of spaghetti buy a spiraliser for the wholesome courgetti alternative. I promise you these swaps are delicious – you will be a convert soon.
3. Plan your lunch week on Sunday
Cook quinoa – a protein that tastes like a carb – in bulk and have for lunch each day. Buy a cool lunchbox. This will force you to schedule in two healthy meals per day, one at the office and one in the nest. Include eggs in one and lots of veg in the other. If you need any inspiration, we are always on hand with savvy suggestions for breakfast and dinner and our feed of regular menu options on HerFamily.ie Instagram – stick to the plan.
4. Eat 3 big portions (no matter what)
Eat regularly but, do not graze – it will be easier to achieve results. Include adequately sized portions of breakfast, lunch and dinner in your day to satisfy your hunger. If you have eaten enough of the good stuff, you should not ‘want’ anything further. Snack on almonds if you really need to.
5. Eat after you exercise
Yes, that simple. The absolute best hormone ever, ‘Growth hormone’ is produced in the body when we exercise. It continues to sustain your metabolic rate following any running, weight or aerobics routine you complete. Schedule the biggest meal of the day after you exercise. Don’t eat the face off yourself afterwards, OK? Eat like a normal human.
6. Eat avocados every day
Eating avocados makes you feel full, less hungry and more satisfied as a result. There are so many (unproven) studies that suggest avocado aids healthy eating and weight loss – I believe all of them. They are full of polyunsaturated (healthy) fats that nourish and lubricate the cells but, they are also a wholefood (a complete food in itself). True.
7. Eat good fats like redskin peanuts
Redskin peanuts as part of this diet for five days are recommended. A handful in the morning with some eggs and avocado (or cream cheese) will be filling, and you will have tons of energy reserves for the day. Soon, bread will be a distant breakfast memory and your carb cravings will subside. All will be explained in the eating plan. Love it.
8. Do not eat low-quality meat
Bad cuts of meat from over-processed operations will often be washed in bleach and preservatives that may irritate your gut. Butchers always have the best advice on recipes. Have a natter with the Butcher for dinner inspo with meat options like duck or lamb, to change things up.
9. Make protein bars
Don’t have some crazed breaking point where you buy all the sweeties from the cash register in Lidl and secretly eat them all in one go. Just. Don’t. If you want a snack, make it yourself. I will find out.
10. Don’t eat dairy
Dairy is naturally high in sugar, and it’s two cousins – yogurt and cheese – are just the same. Cleansing your body of dairy build-up is helpful if you suffer from Asthma, joint inflammation or IBS. Granola or so-called “breakfast bars” that are low in fat are not only high in sugar but, also milk powders and bulking agents. These nasties cause inflammation of the gut, bloating and may accumulate mucus in the lungs and other orifices of the face and body. Eh, no thanks.
11. Eat green veg twice a day
This is where you get your fibre. Look at green vegetables as a green light. They lower cholesterol and blood pressure and can be baked, roasted, steamed, fried, and even BBQ’d. You may eat them as much as you like – even for the petit déjeuner. Mmm.
12. Download ‘myfitnesspal’ app to take pics of your food choices
Believe me, this works. If you are reminded every day of what you bloody well had for dinner (straight after you exclaimed ‘I’m bloody well going to have this for dinner’) you will correct your choices on the following day. It may be via guilt but, it works. This app is a cool forum to share recipes too. Sweet.
13. Learn a new, trendy recipe
In prep for the 5-day eating plan, search the net for easy recipes that are titled ‘no-carb and healthy’ and wow your loved ones. This is the start of a fab detox friends. Good luck.
If you would like any more information on this 5-day eating plan coming up on site next week, send me a mail: [email protected]
