Eating Healthy Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
Rachel Williamson

So many people dread the idea of “health food,” but the truth is that many foods labelled “healthy” are actually quite delicious. The key is the way you eat them, what you combine them with, and how much you eat.

When you think of healthy foods, do you think of boring Brussels sprouts and bland broccoli? Think again! You can have all the flavor you want and still keep the number on the scale down and keep your heart healthy.

Take your favorite recipes and look at the ingredients. Decide which ingredients are the least healthy and replace them. It’s as simple as that. For recipes that call for butter, try to replace it with olive oil. For recipes that call for whole milk, replace it with skim milk (or soy milk). For recipes that call for chicken broth, replace it with vegetable broth.

One big thing you can do to lower your intake of saturated fats is to lower your consumption of red meat. Whenever you can, replace red meat with fish. If you’re adventurous, you can replace red meat with soy substitutes. There are many soy products on the market that taste delicious. Soy crumbles are particularly good in homemade tacos and casseroles.

If eating healthy is difficult for you, don’t be too hard on yourself. Focus on changing gradually. If you can’t give up your usual dinner, have a healthy lunch. Every little bit helps. While it may not be true that “you are what you eat,” it is true that your health is directly affected by what you eat. You owe it to yourself and your body to feed it the proper fuel.

Besides replacing your old stand-bys with healthier alternatives, try to add 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. You’d be surprised how easy this is. For example, you might add some sliced banana to your morning breakfast, have an orange with lunch, have an apple for an afternoon snack, eat some beans with dinner, and have some blueberries on top of ice cream for dessert. Find your own way of adding fruits and vegetables into your diet so it works for you.

Small changes in your diet can make a huge difference. Don’t beat yourself up if your diet isn’t perfect. The important thing is to make it better than it was before. Even if you only add one or two pieces of fruit per day, you’re on the right track! You’ll begin to feel the difference and that will encourage you to do even better.

About the Author

Rachel Williamson shares healthy recipes and food news in Eat This!, a food blog.

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Are you severely obese? If so, you may opt for the LapBand surgery. The LapBand surgery is one of the most common and popular weight loss surgeries in the United States. This popularity is due to the adjustable band that is inserted, as opposed to stomach cutting and stapling. If that wasnt ideal enough, the LapBand procedure is fully reversible and adjustable without surgery!

If you are obese, the first step in seeking help with the LapBand system is to schedule a consultation appointment. Depending on your payment options, a referral may be required from your primary care physician. Once you are able to meet with a surgeon, it will be decided if the LapBand surgery is right for you.

On average, ideal candidates for this weight loss procedure are between the ages of 18 and 60 and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more. These are the most common eligibility requirements used by surgeons. With that said, there is another important eligibility requirement. That requirement involves dietary change. To see success with the LapBand surgery, you need to restrict your diet.

There are many reasons for obesity. One of the most common causes is poor eating habits. If you are known for overeating or eating foods that are high in fats and calories, you may be concerned with diet restrictions. This is a legitimate concern. Not only will diet restrictions improve your chances of weight loss, restrictions lessen the risk of complications.

So, what type of diet restrictions are expected following a LapBand surgical procedure?

In the days following the LapBand procedure, an all-liquid diet is recommended. For the first few days, a clear liquid diet is needed. The clear liquid diet will be the hardest stage to overcome. Your diet options include diluted apple juice, chicken broth, sugar free gelatin, and non-carbonated drinks. When possible, opt for flavored liquids, as flavor may help to clam cravings.

Depending on your progress, a full liquid diet is the next step. Typically, full liquids are introduced after 7 days. At this time, pudding, yogurt, milk, and soup can be incorporated into your diet.

At around two to three weeks post-surgery, pureed foods will be incorporated into your diet. There are affordable puree systems available for sale online and in most department stores. These can enable you to enjoy many of your favorite healthy foods. Although they will look different, the tastes should be the same.

At around one or two months following the LapBand system, solid foods can be introduced. You have been waiting patiently for this time. Remember, it is important to eat healthy. Sweets are allowed, but only in moderation and they are not advised right away. Instead, consume fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

Once solid foods are incorporated into the diet, many patients experience difficulty. It is not uncommon for some to overeat. This is not advised. Overeating can cause temporary pain, discomfort, and vomiting. To prevent this from happening, take slow and small bites. Stop eating when full.

As previously stated, your LapBand surgeon will closely monitor your progress and your diet following surgery. This is not only done to examine the risk of complications, but to make adjustments. It is common for the LapBand to be adjusted in the weeks or month following surgery. Different patients have different needs in terms of band size. For that reason, do not be alarmed if an adjustment is required. Lucky, this is done with the use of a thin needle and saline. You will not need to undergo surgery.

So, there you have it. You now know what is expected of you post-surgery. If you do not feel as if you can spend weeks on an all liquid diet, do not give up hope. Meet with a dietician and start making small changes to your diet. Not only will you better prepare your body for the LapBand surgery, but you may also find that you dont need it to lose weight!

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