There's a plateful of suggestions and dietary opinions about what foods are best to eat and avoid. It gets pretty confusing to know what to eat. My intention as a nutrition consultant is to simply break down the ways to sustainably eat.
Our body is constantly balancing blood sugar and insulin levels, and these variables impact the production of cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that signals the body to store fat. When there are imbalances, cortisol levels can cause the body to want more carbohydrate foods. Without healthy fats, the missing calories tend to be replaced with carbohydrates. An increase in carbs, usually refined and processed, causes fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
When we don’t eat enough carbohydrates from vegetables, we’re not getting optimal fiber, which is necessary for proper digestion and metabolism. I believe that diets for the extreme fat or carbohydrate program are not sustainable and can negatively impact your metabolism. I do think some people do better with more fat, and some do better with more carbs. Everybody has unique needs. Some people with insulin resistance or blood sugar imbalances do better with a low carbohydrate meal plan that offers benefits in the short-term approach.
Healthy dietary fats help keep energy levels balanced and provide satiety. Eat fats with each meal, and limit carb-heavy meals. Eat protein and healthy fats– raw nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, olives, ghee, grass-fed butter, yogurt, grass-fed meats, and pastured eggs.
We require a lot of nutrient-dense foods to thrive. We can do this by eating whole foods, which provide macro and micro-nutrients. We need macronutrients for energy– fat, protein, and carbohydrates– in large quantities. We need micronutrients for energy production– vitamins and minerals– in small quantities. The issue many of us run into with macronutrients is that diet programs tend to focus on calorie-based plans. It’s also important to acknowledge the nutrient density in foods and metabolism response.
A few handfuls of chips may provide quick carbs after a workout, but the nutrients and health benefits are much different than a handful of blueberries or a cooked sweet potato. The body responds to real nutrient-dense food with satisfaction and better metabolism.
Many of the diet staples like olive oil, rice, legumes, and chicken provide the body with fat, protein, and carbs. The question is how many various colors are on your plate? With a variety of colors in the meal typically we receive more nutrients. The macronutrient goals may be met, but we still need micronutrients for optimal health. Consume a variety of colorful vegetables– 2-3 different veggie colors each meal. Our metabolism can thrive and optimally function from extracting various antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Stress is not inevitable, but it is often overlooked beyond mental health. Even minor daily stressors can threaten metabolic balance. Stress is the leading cause of all diseases, including stubborn body fat. The cortisol level in the body needs to be balanced to decrease cellular fat. If the body constantly feels stress, cortisol levels stay chronically high. The body has no time to lose fat when it’s in a fight or flight state.
Stressors are seen by the body as equal. Stress comes from our thoughts, alcohol, sugar, toxicity, sleep, and eating habits. Thoughts are the key driver of stress. External situations from work, people, and environment are not the stressors themselves but rather it’s our thoughts and feelings about these situations. The challenge with improvement comes when the mind is stressed. Studies show that reducing stress helps heal an imbalanced metabolism. Practice breathwork, meditation, stretching, yoga, exercise, walking, hiking, and getting outdoors.
Suggestions for high vibrational foods
Opt for whole foods with S.O.U.L (seasonal, organic, unprocessed, and local).
Avocado
Berries
Citrus– lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit
Colorful fruits and vegetables
Dark leafy greens
Organic herbs– cilantro, parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage
Organ meats
Probiotic foods– fermented veggies, sauerkraut, kombucha, full-fat yogurt
Raw brazil nuts, walnuts, and macadamia nuts
Pastured eggs and poultry
Grass-fed beef
Wild-caught fatty fish
Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, ghee, grass-fed butter, and coconut oil
Suggestions on eating habits
Have compassion. You may start off eating well and then get sidetracked– it’s OK. Just pick up where you left off.
Count the colors– not calories – you’re eating and the color of the real whole food packaging, not the pretty manufactured packaging.
Eat your optimal intake of calories. Under-eating is as equally harmful as overeating. *under-eating does not always allow for fat loss, esp. with an imbalanced metabolism.
Set intentions, commit, and take slow strides– it allows for a more attainable and long-term lifestyle.
Allow the space for self-reflection; journal and track your progress.
Mindfully eat; thoroughly chew and stay focused on the task at hand– nourishing your body.
