By Alina Z
What to Eat
Now!
The only advice you need to make the right food choice
w
ouldn’t it be wonderful if someone had all the answers to “What should I eat?” and “When should I eat it?” Well, someone does, and it is you!
Have you ever had a craving for, say, an orange after a workout, and then you began questioning your choice? “Do I really need it? Shouldn’t I have a power smoothie since fitness trainers suggest I eat something with protein? But wait, other fitness trainers say not to eat anything at all so my body can burn extra calories. Or is it the other way around—eat right away and then I will burn calories?” Ahhh!
If that sounds familiar, you are not the only one who has been bombarded with information on when and what to eat. Nutrition experts everywhere seem to have the answers, yet so many are conflicting. For example, while some promote raw vegan foods for their plethora of enzymes and vitamins, others may suggest you eat only cooked, macrobiotic meals that are rich in minerals and have anxiety-relieving grounding properties. While some recommend eating three big meals a day, others promote five to six mini meals.
“I encourage you to pause every time you reach for a meal and check in with yourself to see what you truly crave.” If you want to know the truth, then I suggest you stop listening to the voices outside of yourself and listen to the voice inside. It is like getting dressed in the morning. No fashion designer can tell you what to wear today. Really. How does he or she know your mood right now? Will the designer know if it is below freezing in your hometown today or if it is hot and humid? No. Great designers make suggestions, introduce you to new fashions, and inspire you to try different styles on. Then it is up to you to choose what to wear and when to wear it. With that in mind, I encourage you to pause every time you reach for a meal and check in with yourself to see what you truly crave. Your body doesn’t skip a beat, and I am confident that when supplied with real (organic, non-GMO) food, it can tell you what it wants to eat. I have seen amazing changes happen when people start questioning their physical cravings, and I encourage you to have more faith in yourself. For those struggling with addictions or health issues, it is of course best to seek one-on-one professional help before trying something new. And emotional cravings need to be addressed on an emotional level. Nevertheless, don’t disregard the infinite wisdom that you and your body possess.
Alina Z is a board-certified health coach and Couture Nutrition chef. Her approach to food is based on the idea that creating a healthy diet is like choosing the fashions that fill your closet: to fit well, your diet has to reflect your unique personality and lifestyle. ALINAZ.COM
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