This week, I told my friends and family that I was finally going to get back into healthy eating. I also told them this last week… and the week before that. Starting a healthy diet and sticking to it has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced — most likely because I am addicted to anything and everything sweet. And cheese.
Cutting calories and working out are obvious ways to lose weight and get in shape, but eating 1,000 calories a day that consists of bland and boring foods is just not something I can do. And giving up sweets and comfort foods entirely? It’s not going to happen. Maybe I can do it for a couple of days or a couple of weeks, but the next thing I know I’m diving into a pint of ice cream and nothing can stop me.
GIF courtesy of giphy.com
You see, I don’t just want to lose weight and then return to old habits. I want to develop healthy habits and still be able to consume delicious and glorious food. In order to control what goes into my body while simultaneously eating mouth watering food, I started cooking and baking. How, you may ask, do I know how to make these so-called amazing meals? Well, my friends, the answer is simple: Pinterest.
Pinterest has unlimited recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have recipes available for whatever kind of meal you’re in the mood for, including all the sweets you love. It’s seriously incredible.
By planning dishes out, spending money in the grocery store, and taking the time to cook, meals become so much more satisfying and you have total control over what foods go into your body. For example, I used to buy acai bowls for about $10, but had no control over how much fruit, sugar, and toppings were put in the bowl. Thanks to Pinterest, I found the recipe for this Berry Acai Bowl that I’ve been making for breakfast. Super healthy and delicious. Pretty cool, huh?
#SpoonTip: Add some spinach, use a little less fruit, and stick to the serving size for any extra toppings to keep your daily calorie and sugar intake low.
Photo courtesy of leangreennutritionfiend.com
What’s even cooler is that you can still eat your favorite meals and sweets. How can this be? Well, now that you have total control over your meals, you can use portion control and healthy substitutions to make these foods fit into your diet. Whole wheat flour instead of white flour, egg whites instead of eggs, Greek yogurt instead of butter — don’t you love when you can eat guilt-free?
Last week, I had mac n’ cheese as a side to my One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies. Crazy, right? Not really! Because thanks to Pinterest, I found a mac ‘n’ cheese recipe that only used whole wheat pasta, cheese (I used fat-free), Greek yogurt, and spinach. And that’s not even the best part. The best part is that it made my taste buds go crazy with all the flavor.
Photo courtesy of cookingalamel.com
Giving up on all your favorite foods in order to lose weight and get in shape is so overrated. We all know that if I didn’t have that mac n’ cheese last night that I would eat a whole box of Easy Mac on my cheat day. And we all know that if I didn’t eat this peach and blueberry greek yogurt cake that I would’ve had at least two slices of a totally unhealthy chocolate cake.
Eat what you love, especially when you learn to make it in a healthier way, or you will only return to your unhealthy ways. Everything in moderation is okay. You see, dieting doesn’t have to mean giving up on good food and it doesn’t have to turn into an unhealthy obsession. So sit back, start pinning, and enjoy the delicious food you learn to make.
Photo courtesy of juliasalbum.com
Here are some more amazing recipes that I’ve tried and highly recommend: Avocado Chicken Salad, Banana Blueberry Overnight Oats, Raspberry Dark Chocolate Banana Bread, Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Bread, and Stuffed Chicken.