While we try to teach you the benefits and importance of nutritious eating throughout the year, we also realize that there will be times of celebration such as birthdays and holidays when you will have easy access to an abundance of foods that are, ah hem, “slightly less than nutritious”.
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean that you eat perfect meals 24 /7 / 365. Living a healthy lifestyle means you appreciate the gift of life that you’ve been given by regularly respecting your body and you do your best to keep yourself vibrant and strong so that you can be of service to others.
Within that frame of thought comes the balance between family, enjoyment of life, and health. And while avoiding the toxic impacts of sugar at all costs is ideal, it isn’t always a reality… especially when Grandma expects you to eat a slice of her delicious, made-only-once-a-year, homemade pecan pie.
Try this simple compromise on such special occasions: Dietary Displacement
Dietary displacement is a simple concept with a fancy name.
If you choose foods that are delicious, full of nutrients, and the best quality you can afford, you'll feel more fully satisfied. You'll significantly reduce your risk of craving processed foods: the foods with high sugar, low-quality fats, and minimal additional nutrients.
In other words, the nutrient-rich foods take up more space in your space in your stomach leaving less room and less desire for an overabundance of treats.
Alternatively, if you choose those processed foods first, it's likely that you'll be left feeling unsatisfied or quickly hungry again. Being left unsatisfied, you'll be more likely to feel cravings, both biologically and psychologically.
Practice displacing the less nutritious foods by looking for superfoods and eating some of those BEFORE reaching for Grandma’s pie.
Think of it like this -> it’s not that you are saying “no” to desserts, it’s that you are ADDING satisfaction to the dessert by eating what your body needs first.
It’s like spiking your sweets with superfoods first.
Superfoods are packed with beneficial nutrients. They're foods that give a lot of bang for the buck. They make you healthier, and make you feel good.
Superfoods are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients that keep all body organs healthy, vibrant, and less inflamed.
Superfoods Samples:
Proteins- pasture-raised organic lean meat, wild salmon, omega-3 eggs, and wild game (venison, bison, elk, emu, etc.).
Veggies and fruits- dark leafy greens (such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard, etc.), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower), mixed berries (blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, etc.), and fermented veggies (sauerkraut, kimchi, etc.).
High fiber carbs-lentils, quinoa, whole oats, and wild rice.
Healthy fats- mixed raw nuts, coconuts and coconut oil, avocados, olives or extra-virgin olive oil, fish, krill, or algae oil, ground flax and/or chia seeds.
Miscellaneous- green tea, dark chocolate, ginger, turmeric, and fresh, seasonal herbs.
As always: maximize enjoyment with moderation. Superfoods are especially super as a part of a varied diet in the portions that are right for you and your goals. All foods—super or otherwise—have calories. This is especially true for things like healthy fats and dark chocolate.
So go ahead, enjoy a slice of Grandma’s made-with-love pie after a helping of some superfoods. More importantly, enjoy Grandma and the rest of the holiday season.