Paying Attention to What You Put in your Mouth!

My Story

Growing up, my family, friends and I ate a lot of foods without thinking about the effects they had on our bodies. Often Americans refer to these foods as "junk food." These are the foods we all know that are terrible for us but taste so good we cant stop buying them. To This day I still fight against an intense addiction to chips! 

However, my junk food diet drastically changed after a trip to India that I took in 2008.

I had the unfortunate experience of contracting a bacterial infection while traveling through India. My curiosity to try new foods led to my demise. I was under the impression that my stomach could withstand anything I put in it.

While I still believe that you should try many things, I know its very important to look around before buying consuming any foods (that goes for any place in the world you go, even the grocery store).

The bacterial infection I contracted led to me losing 20 pounds in 1 month, being sick and exhausted for 7 months and a battery of tests where I was continually told nothing was wrong with me by medical professionals. It wasn't until my 6th visit to the doctors office that I was finally referred to gastrointestinal specialist, where I learned my bacterial infection had led to IBS and an intolerance to dairy products. After this diagnosis, I knew I had to make drastic changes my diet.

In high school I loved to eat chips, pizza, bread and fries (Obviously a Carb-o-halic). The 7 months following my trip, I spent a lot of time doubled over in pain unable to figure out what was attacking my body causing me to feel sick. Getting the diagnosis of IBS from a gastrointestinal specialist made me reconsider what I as putting in my body.

Learning to Change

 "You must do the things, you think you cannot do"- Eleanor Roosevelt

After my diagnosis, the nurse handed me a pamphlet that listed the foods I needed to avoid. At first, I didnt believe that the food I was eating was causing me to feel sick. I really believed that it was an infection and that the IBS was caused by the infection itself. However, I decided to limit my intake of certain foods and see if it helped.

I noticed the effects immediately. While I still felt sick I began to feel a lot better.  My level of energy was increasing and my stomach problems were beginning to disappear.

Increasingly, I was consuming foods that were healthier on a regular basis and limiting the junk food I was putting in my body.

I began to realize how much the food I was eating was affecting the way I felt. 

While I love eating carbs I noticed that they were making me feel tired and sick, the way I had felt for 7 months and knew I couldn't return to the way I had felt previously. The more healthy food I ate, the clearer I understood the affects of the junk food I was consuming

Today, I maintain a healthy diet by allowing myself to enjoy junk food on occasion. Most importantly, however, I pay attention to what I put in my mouth.

How to Pay Attention to What you Put in Your Mouth, by paying attention to what you buy...

(Without Sacrificing the Foods you Love at the)!

Step 1: Never go to the Super Market Hungry

• Always make sure you are not hungry before going to the store (try eating something before or chewing on gum).
• When you are hungry you are a lot more likely to buy that you can eat right away (ie junk foods).

Step 2: Spend MOST of your time in the Produce Section

• Find fruits or vegetables to accompany each meal and remember it is healthier to eat more vegetables then it is to eat meat. 
• Take your time and make sure the produce is fresh and will last for (at least) 3 days after being bought.
• Buy prepackaged fruit and vegetables that do not need to be prepared (think carrots, pre-cut cucumbers and apples)
• Load up on the foods you know you and your families love to eat. 
• While some fruits and vegetables are expensive such as blueberries and raspberries they end up cheaper then prepackaged snacks. 
• If you are afraid you wont be able to eat them right away buy frozen. Frozen fruit makes an excellent snack on hot days and contain less chemicals then canned food.
• Educate yourself on the health benefits of specific foods and how they can reduce your risk of diseases and cancers.

Step 3: Buy Less Meat 

• Many Americans think meat needs to be the main part of the meal, however recent scientific studies have shown people are consuming to much meat which is related to health issue lies high blood pressure and cholesterol
• When going to the meat section try limiting the amount of meat you purchase (it will also save you money at checkout). 
• When purchasing meat think about the meal you will make with it, how many portions it will make and how long it will stay good for
• Freeze any unused meat after opening or throw away if unfrozen once

Step 4: Limit Prepackaged Food  

• Prepackaged foods often contain high amounts of sodium which can long term affects and short term affects such retention of water (which makes you feel bloated).
• Never completely deny yourself of buying a bag of chips or cookies (just don't buy to much)
• I live by the rule of 2. Every week I allow myself to buy two things that I will enjoy. Because I know I have a limited supply, I eat less junk food, enjoy it more and never feel cravings (that would generally lead me to buying and eating a whole bag of chips at one time).

Step 5: If short on time, Give yourself a break and buy Prepared Food  (instead of prepackaged)

• Grocery stores offer lots of pre-made food that is a delicious alternative to cooking or going out to eat
• Rotisserie chicken often comes prepared and with any leftovers you can easily make tacos, soups or sandwiches later in the week.
• While it can be more expensive then buying raw or uncooked food, it saves time and and stress
• If chicken by the pound is 5 dollars raw and buying a cooked rotisserie chicken  is 6.50 the price difference is only $1.50, which if prepared at home with the same ingredients would end up around the same amount of money.
• It is also far cheaper then going out to eat

Conclusion

While I love junk food, I know how it makes me feel and I don't prefer the feeling.

Now I pay attention to what I eat and as a result I feel healthier, rarely get sick and never feel like I am being denied something I love.

Food is the powerful substance we put into our body to obtain the energy we need to be productive. Pay attention to what you are eating. Pay attention to the way it makes your body feel, the way your look on the outside and your emotions on the inside.