I saw a saying on social media recently that describes me to a “T”. It went something like this: “I may look as though I am having deep thoughts, but 99% of the time I am thinking about what I’m going to eat next”. I think I have my priorities entirely in order.
I know many people think they have more important things to do than shop for and prepare food but I ask you, what can be more important than a substance that not only sustains life but can also contribute to or protect you from diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer? The quality of our diet has everything to do with the quality of our health. Most of the illnesses and diseases that afflict us could be avoided and or improved by eating better but we give more thought to choosing a shade of lipstick than we do to what we put on our plate.
We live in a country where food is cheap and plentiful. Maybe that is why we don’t value and appreciate it. For many of us it’s just a means to an end. We eat to fill our belly. And because we like convenience and think we have better things to do with our time we eat packaged, processed foods at home and in restaurants that are full of fat, salt, and sugar.
While you may not be willing to think about food as much as I do, there are simple things you can do to improve the quality of your diet:
Meal Planning – Much of the anxiety we have about meals stems from not knowing what we are going to eat until it’s too late. Take a few moments once a week and sit down with your calendar. Figure out how many meals you need to prepare for, what you have on hand, and what you need to shop for. Don’t forget breakfast and snacks.
Shopping – Use the grocery list from your meal planning and don’t buy anything that’s not on the list. Arrange your list in the order you travel through the store so you can get in and out fast. (I use a phone app that color codes my list for the various departments.)
Cooking – Simple meals do not have to take a lot of time, special ingredients, or expense. A piece of grilled, baked, or broiled lean meat, a couple of servings of vegetables cooked in the microwave, and a slice of whole wheat bread can be quicker, healthier, and cheaper than a fast food meal.
Eating – Sit down to eat at least one meal each day and focus only on the food. Be thankful for it, appreciate it, and give it the attention it deserves.
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