About

Disclaimer

Frist off I am not a medical professional! Please check with your doctor before starting ANY diet. All information in this blog is strictly for my reference. It is a way for me to motivate myself and keep me accountably. A place I can track my progress and post my recipes.

Eating a Balanced Diet:

What is a balanced diet? There are seven parts that makeup a balanced diet: carbs, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, minerals and water. These parts supply our bodies with the essentials it needs to keep us healthy. I will concentrate on just the first five, carbs, protein, fat, fiber. Together they add up to the calories we consume. To lose the extra weight we have accumulated we must get back to the basics, the balanced diet.

June 18, 2020, I began my new eating program. I joined the online version of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for support, motivation and accountability. TOPS does not promote a particular diet but suggests a healthy way of eating. I also checked the USDA site and the American Diabetes Association site; where I found information that was useful. The USDA and American Diabetes Association use the Plate Plan. Using a 9" plate, (I use a 8" plate because it is what I had handy) divide it in half this section contains non-starchy Veggies (cooked or raw) and Fruit. Then divide the other half of the plate, 1/4 for protein (no large than a deck of cards or 4 oz.) and the remaining 1/4 for whole grain, legumes, whole wheat pasta (about 1/4 cup). Although I am not diabetic, I am following the American Diabetes guidelines of eating 30-40 carbs a meal. Yes, you read it correctly! After years of Paleo, Atkins and Keto diets, this is quite a change for me. But after two weeks eating this way, I have lost seven pounds. No cravings either! Eating a balanced diet gives your body everything it needs you don't crave.

Last of all, I weigh and measure and log everything I eat. Invest in a set of measuring cup and spoons, and a digital scale. The program I use to log my food is "SPARKPEOPLE". This is a free app for IOS & Androids and PC's. Once you get your favorites entered, it only takes 2 minutes to log your meals.  NOTE:  After years of using the  SparkPeople app they have decided to discontinue their app.  I have reviewed many free logging apps and have found “MyNetDiary” to fit my needs.  It is user friendly and it  quick to enter your meals.

Cooking is one of my favorite things. I love to create new recipes. The following are meals and recipes I have created or altered to fit my way of eating. Let get cooking!