Fill-Up, Not Out For Weight Loss

Hello, my friend,

I guess you could call me a simple kind of girl.

I love simple. I hate complicated. Complicated confuses me.

For too many years the food-weight-health connection seemed so complicated, and more than a little confusing.

Sound familiar?

And then one day I had an “ah-ha” moment—took me long enough.

It started with a very simple question:

“Which foods prevent cancer?”

Simple answer: “Whole, fresh fruits and vegetables, of course—everyone knows that.”

The next simple question:

“Then why weren’t we taught as children to fill-up on whole fruits and vegetables?”

Good question, don’t you think?

After years and years of reading and research, I have never ever, not even once, heard that steaks, hamburgers, ham, chicken, turkey, cheese, yogurt, spaghetti, brown-colored white bread, pizza, French fries, dried-up cereals, milk, pastries, chips, sweets, or even coffee (ouch—that one hurt) prevent cancer?

Have you?

Yet, those were the very foods that filled our lives and our bellies every day and almost every meal.

I know I’m simple, but that just doesn’t make sense.

And this is even more confusing.

If we all know now how good fruits and vegetables are for us, then why do we still banish them to the sidelines while making meat, dairy, refined breads and cereals, processed foods, and salty and sweet snacks our starting star players?

Now that’s quite the stumper question, isn’t it?

So I’ll ask it one more time: “Why aren’t we filling up on the disease warriors—fruits and vegetables—instead of the disease fertilizers when we know better?”

Simple question with a not-so-simple answer as you and I both know.

The bottom line is: it’s tough to change habits, likes, and dislikes that have been deeply grooved into our minds and lives since birth.

Besides that, sickness and diseases happen to other people—not to us. We just don’t connect the dots between what we eat and how well and how long our bodies serve us—until “it” happens to us.

Let’s face it. We all love the foods our mamas and our culture taught us to eat. They are mmmm-mmmm good! They are our buddies, our good friends. They offer that warm, fuzzy feeling for any and every occasion, happy or sad.

The thought of giving them up makes us dig in our heels even deeper, just like a bratty little kid: “No way!” we say.

B-I-N-G-O! I’ve got a very simple idea—that’d be me—simple.

Instead of thinking about what you “have to” give up to lose weight and gain health and a fit body, how about this?

Think about what you “get to” add. Completely sidestep that place of deprivation and sacrifice.

How about adding the best-for-you foods? Fresh fruits and vegetables. And, while you’re at it, fill-up on these foods; satisfy your hunger drive.

Simple suggestions to ponder:

=>For breakfast: ADD and fill-up on fresh fruits throughout the morning. No, not just a half of a banana or one apple, but enough whole fruits to satisfy and fill you up. (Of course, watch it if you have diabetes.)

=>For lunch: ADD and fill-up on a large green-leafy salad with at least 10 different vegetables, like two kinds of lettuce, spinach, sprouts, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, onion, avocado, radishes, broccoli, or whatever you like.

=>Try a salad dressing made with no oil—even olive oil (I know, it’s confusing, isn’t it?) adds layers to our layers and makes us ripe for diseases. I use freshly squeezed half of a lemon and balsamic vinegar. Yes, it takes some getting used to, but once you do, it’s good—huh, Jean? (Jean finally tried it and actually liked it—a lot.)

=>For dinner: ADD and fill-up on a vegetable salad first, then ADD steamed vegetables second, then ADD a yam or potato topped with pureed avocado, tomato, onion, and seasoning of your choice.

AFTER filling up on nutrient-rich, calorie-low (hint: vegetables are KEY in weight loss and health gain) whole plant foods, if you choose to eat one of your traditional favorites with calories, fat, and/or cholesterol, then have at it. The beauty is: you will automatically eat less of it keeping you on track for your own personal weight loss, health, and fitness goals.

=>For snacks: ADD fresh fruits, cut-up vegetables, and uncooked, unsalted nuts and seeds.

There you have it, my friend. Eating for your ideal YOU is really this simple. Think addition, not subtraction.

We make it complicated, especially we women. I know—as a mother of three grown kids, I’ve been there, done that, not doing it anymore.

I love the freedom of simple: no complicated recipes, no long hours at the grocery store, no fussing over what you’re going to eat the next meal, no big prep work, or messy clean-up.

And the best part: no baby-sized portions that leave you hungry and desperate for more. Eat until you’re satisfied and full—what a novel idea!

Think like me: simple.

Which foods prevent cancer, along with most of the other life-robbing diseases? Your true friends—fruits and vegetables.

Fill-up on those foods.

You will be thrilled with the results of simple thinking and simple actions: Steady, but sure weight loss, along with a higher level of health, fitness, energy (fruits and vegetables are our best sources of energy), activity, purpose, and joy.

“Body first, everything else second; or there are no seconds.” – Dr. Leslie

Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a health motivational speaker, writer, and lifestyle coach. Visit www.DrLeslieVanRomer.com for more inspiration.