For the past month or so I have been eating a diet incredibly lean of dairy, grains, legumes, and sugar. My dairy intake is limited to a splash in coffee (almond milk just ruins coffee) and an ice cream once in a while. I have grains when I am served them at someone’s house, so far that has been about 3 times over the past month (rice, pasta, corn). Legumes … I had some beans once when my dad served them to me. And sugar, in that ice cream and in some dark chocolate.
With those elements lacking, what do I eat? A diet high in protein, veggies, and fruit. Nuts, too.
I started this diet when I learned that grains, dairy, and sugar are all major factors in the thrush that Jack and I were passing back and forth over a period of about 2-3 weeks. It just wasn’t going away…but it’s been gone since about a week after I started to eliminate those things from my diet.
What else have I discovered? I feel better. I get less sluggish during the day. I sleep better – probably because I used to eat a lot of sugar at the end of the day (well, throughout the whole day but gradually increasing as the day went on.) And I am losing weight without being hungry.
That is where the importance of protein lies. When I eat meals that have animal protein, I am full. I don’t necessarily feel grossly full. I just don’t feel hungry. But if all I eat is animal protein, I don’t feel right. I need those veggies and fruits to balance things out. That’s why I have been making foods like the ones you see in these pictures. Beautiful, fresh, whole foods. And I feel great.
Another reason why I feel so awesome is that I know the food that is going into my body is also the food I am nourishing Jack with. He deserves the best and that is what I am giving him by eating good, fresh food.
But I’m not beating myself up if I feel like having some chips or ice cream – two things I love. I have them once in a while, but not almost everyday like I was before! And I’ve been tending towards these sweet potato chips I found at the IGA in Hudson. Delicious. Basically I am making healthier choices overall and being aware of what goes into this body of mine and, in turn, that body of his :)
Once in a while when I want that sweet je ne sais quoi after a meal, I make a dessert that has some honey in it, like this Banana Chocolate Cake I found over at Crossfit Rebels. It has the extra added bonus of being kosher for Passover ;)