I’ve always considered myself to be pretty savvy about food and diet… but since there are SO many psychological layers to eating; food, body image, etc., it’s easy for us to abandon our rational brain and wholeheartedly believe things about our bodies that may not be true. Even the savviest of us all may be tempted to believe weight-loss fabrications, which is why I investigated some of the things people have told me (which I believed!) by speaking with a nutritionist.

“If you eat protein and carbohydrates at the same time, your digestion is less efficient because the stomach is using different enzymes at once, as opposed to focusing on one type of food at a time.”

–Every nutritionist I’ve talked to has said this is complete garbage. And I’m glad to hear it, because my faith in my beloved In-N-Out burger has been restored (sorry to everyone who’s not in California or parts of Arizona. They truly are the best burgers on Earth…worth the airfare, I promise). In fact, it’s better to eat both protein and carbohydrates together– the carbohydrates give you quick glucose for energy, but the protein ensures your blood sugar doesn’t drop later because it takes longer to digest. When your blood sugar doesn’t drop (like it would if you ate simple carbs alone) you won’t get hungry as fast and you won’t become a sugar junkie.

“If you eat within three hours of when you go to sleep, your food will instantly turn to fat because you don’t have time to burn it off”

–Again, nutritionists tell me they can’t believe stuff like that gets published. Read More »

When I stumbled over this recipe, I fell off my chair. No, really. I have the bruises to show for it.

I don’t know about any of you, but I LOVE sushi (hard to tell, huh?). And, if you’re put off by visions of raw fish, don’t be! This is one recipe that won’t have ANYONE feeling squeamish. Unless you’re scared of scrummy food. Seriously. This is that good. And as a bonus (or not!) it won’t send you into a sugar induced coma like some other dessert sushi’s out there.

And if you’re still not convinced why you should make/convince someone else (Mom!) to make this sushi for you, well, then, let me change your mind.

In my adapted version, the ‘rice’ is made up of cashew nuts, honey and butter. Cashew nuts provide a good source of protein and fiber, and is also a good source of nutrients and minerals. On top of that, they also help maintain good cholesterol levels, protecting your heart. Sound good so far? Well, it gets better. Honey is rich in antioxidants (here’s a tip: the darker the honey is, the richer in antioxidants) and obviously, because of the fruit on top, there’s more good stuff!

The wasabi on the sashimi? (God, that’s bad.) This is super easy, and looks like you spent hours slaving away, when really, all it takes is about ten minutes.

Fruit Sushi (A.K.A. Fruishi) Read More »

During my vegetarian kick this winter, I was determined to get enough protein and, ironically, fat in my diet. Cheese was good, milk was fine, and I cannot say enough about my obsession with avocado, but what I needed was something of the nut variety to add a little to my meals. Peanut butter was the obvious choice.

It’s cheap and easy. It’s pre-made. It’s delicious. But I can’t eat the Jifs or the Skippys. They’re too sweet, no matter how choosy my mom is. In actuality, because my mom is diabetic, she was the one who considered them too sweet, and so, by default, I went natural.

Initially I was a little repulsed, because the peanut oil settles on top of the mashed-up peanuts themselves and it requires stirring, but I soon got over this. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not (quite) that lazy. The good news is, if you are that lazy, you can buy pre-mixed natural peanut butter; I just prefer the Smuckers glass jars of it. Essentially, I go through about a jar of this stuff every ten days, and I think you get the idea of how much I love it. Before you judge me for eating it out of the far with a spoon, I am going to share with you the amazing and different ways to enjoy your PB au Natural: Read More »

My mom invited me to join her for a few sessions with her private Pilates instructor. Might I add that my mother did not mention to me that I would have to pay for half of said lesson until after the fact, which was quite a surprise to me. But, the money was totally worth it…even if I can’t really afford to do it ever again.

Not only did this woman work my muscles until they shook, but she taught me exactly what I needed to eat afterwards to optimize our one-hour session: protein and fiber. And she was so right.

Ever since that fateful day, I have been following my workouts with a big dose of protein and fiber. Sometimes it’s eggs and toast. Other times a little peanut butter on some whole wheat crackers. Usually, though, I don’t have time to make a hearty snack or meal after my workout (since I am usually running 20 minutes late to work as it is), so I depend on a good old protein/nutrition bar of some sort.

Let me tell you; if I eat one more freaking Luna Bar I am going to go crazy. Read More »

I would have posted a daily update instead of this week one summary, but no one really wants to read this everyday:

“Oh my God, I miss coffee. I will commit a misdemeanor for diet Pepsi. Dammit, I want an effing cookie. Sugaaaaar. Asouiryth494p…!”

First, I will confess my diet sin: I had a shot on Saturday night. It’s hard being the sober girl at the bar. Sorry, Detox Doc Haas, it’s against my religion to turn down a free drink from a cute bartender.

In my first week sans sugar, nuts, dairy, soy, wheat, eggs and corn, I decided that staying strictly on the diet meal by meal is impossible for anyone who stays up late into the night, has a fast metabolism, enjoys working out or some combination thereof. Since I fall into all three categories, I have modified my eating plan.

I eat 4 ounces of protein at lunch with my veggies and up to 6 ounces at dinner. My cut off time for eating is 8 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. and I eat a piece of fruit as a snack. I also eat an extra piece of fruit in the morning after my oats.

Speaking of oats: if you decide to eat oatmeal when you follow this plan, don’t microwave those bad boys. Don’t. It has the consistency of wall paper paste. That mistake on the morning of day two made me think too fondly of my ‘coffee is a meal’ days. Read More »