One Month For Our Health?
Ξ February 24th, 2008 | → 9 Comments | ∇ Crunchy Stuff |
I got interested in healthier foods when I was pregnant with Chloe. For the first time in my life I was really struggling with my weight, although as a teenager I was convinced I needed to lose 10 pounds.
If only I knew then how fit I was…
Two of the changes that I have made, but not been very strict about are cutting high fructose corn syrup and artificial dyes from our diet.
Ok, I guess it’s more like they’re changes I’d like to think I’ve made, but all I’ve really done is become aware of the fact that they are in practically every food I give my children.
Another change I’d really like to make is to try a gluten-free diet. None of us are allergic to it, that I know of, but I have read that gluten is linked to a number of health problems.
Of course, I’ve been thinking about going gluten free for about a year now, and not done anything about it except subscribe to one gluten-free blogger.
So I’m thinking about giving myself a one-month test. Maybe if I commit to it, and blog about it, for one month then I’ll actually do it. Because if one of my children were allergic, I could make the change overnight.
But just to see if it makes a difference in the way we feel? Well, I just don’t have all that much will power.
What about ya’ll? Are there dietary changes you’ve been wanting to make but haven’t quite gotten around to yet?
on February 24th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Well, you already know I want you to do this. If you can do it, maybe I will be brave enough to try!
on February 25th, 2008 at 7:52 am
We have been pretty bad eaters around our house. I just really want to try to eat a little healthier. I want to prepare more meals at home and cut down on our eating out- both for our bodies and for our budget! I want us to eat more fruits and vegetables and less fat!
I also want to try to cut back on the amount of sugar we eat. Ever since I had gestational diabetes, I have been worried that I would become diabetic, or at least have it again with my next pregnancy. Now, I can’t get rid of carbs, because I love them so much. But I want to try to eat less sweets, because- hey, something is better than nothing, right?
Good luck! I look forward to hearing how it goes!
on February 25th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I have always struggled with eating well…luckily I haven’t ever had weight trouble (yet!), but I know that I just don’t eat enough vegetables, too much sugar and not enough water. I go through phases where I do pretty well…but inevitably I fall back into my bad habits after a few weeks. I have no willpower whatsoever! I really, really , really want to get back to drinking green smoothies every day. They make me feel great and help keep me regular too….but thought of washing the blender everyday has kept me from doing it. Awful, I know!
I’d love to hear how a gluten-free month went! Maybe if you do that…I’ll commit to green smoothies for a month (which you could include in your gluten free diet too by the way…they are VERY YUMMY!)
on February 25th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Cutting out high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes and gluten from your diet will DEFINITELY make you feel better, but not initially. Plan to gear up for this by cutting things out gradually and then start your one month. Cutting these things out is hard enough, but doing it cold turkey can drive a person mad.
) Also, when you’re fully into the month, you could try chromium supplements to help with the inevitable cravings. (be sure you’re not pregnant first). Other than that, you should keep nuts and quick proteins nearby for cravings too. You’d be surprised how sweet almonds taste when you’re off sugar/grains! Tell us when you start for sure and I’ll do it with you. I’ll do a full candida cleanse because I’ve been feeling sluggish, foggy brained and generally yucky lately. I’m pretty sure it’s my candida levels.
on February 25th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
We started some healthier things while J. was deployed. I bought a grain mill and now grind my own grains and make our own breads and such. I have also cut out many of the processed foods from our diet. I don’t think we will go gluten free just yet because I haven’t read enough to know that it would be beneficial. We are trying to cut back on HFCS, though. You’re right, they are in everything. It’s scary. I’ve implemented some other things, too, that I’d love to talk about forever. I’ll spare ya
And, I joined Weight Watchers again to get those last few pounds off before we try for baby #3!
on February 25th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Soda pop. Sweet tea. If I could get rid of all that unnecessary sugar I drink daily… I did stop drinking milk, which I vaguely remember someone, somewhere telling me it isn’t good for you, so obviously I don’t have strong convictions about it!
on February 25th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Right now I would settle for cutting junk food and sugar. I already buy low fat, sugar free, and multigrain when I can. Its the start of a very hard and long process.
on February 26th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
What is the theory behind going gluten free? What difference is it supposed to make? I always thought that whole wheat breads were supposed to be good for you!
on February 29th, 2008 at 10:27 am
I started cutting out all high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils when my son started eating solid foods. (Before then I tried for my hubby and I but never really stuck with it.)
Amazingly I get very, very few headaches now, I feel tons better, and I’ve not even gotten a cold this winter (knock on wood) even though my husband has had a few. Make the changes slowly over 4-6 weeks and your body won’t go crazy. If you do it cold turkey, you may just suffer lots of headaches and fatigue while your body adjusts.