Nutrition, Health, Programs S & A Wellness Duo Nutrition, Health, Programs S & A Wellness Duo

5 Secrets To Going Grain-Free

This food group plays such a big role in the eating habits of millions of families and kids around the world. Oatmeal, YUM! Crackers, YUM! Mashed potatoes, YUM! Toast, YUM! Cereal, YUM!  Who can relate?

The ugly truth about grains … dun, dun, dun

I’m sure you don’t want to read another line in this article, because come on, we all love our grains, right?? Keep reading:) I promise you will learn a thing or two about how to kick grains to the curb!

Grains, grains they’re good for your heart, the more your eat, the more you....get healthy!?…that’s how that saying goes.... right? Wrong!

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This food group plays such a big role in the eating habits of millions of families and kids around the world. Oatmeal, YUM! Crackers, YUM! Mashed potatoes, YUM! Toast, YUM! Cereal, YUM!  Who can relate?

Sure, we always tell our kids and family that we need to eat our veggies too, but we also serve some sort of grain as a main dish or with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks as well.

We all do it!  I’m just as guilty as the next person trying to eat right & thinking I am doing a great job, it's all a learning process!

So this means grains have to be just as important as meats, fruits and veggies, …right?  Wrong.

But grains make up a hefty spot on the food pyramid so they must be healthy! Wrong! Just because the government says it’s healthy, doesn’t mean it is.  Remember for the last two generations, the government called for a low fat, high carbohydrate diet because they thought all fat was bad for the heart.  Last fall, the experts on the committee that oversees our dietary guidelines acknowledged that they had ditched the low-fat diet because there was no "appreciable relationship" between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol.  It turns out that over the past 50 years that we have cut fat intake by 25% and increased carbohydrates by more that 30% and we have had an astounding increase in obesity, diabetes and heart disease.  I can name 10 foods off the top of my head that are banned in other countries but served here.

But I need the fiber! Um, sorry…wrong again. You can get it elsewhere, like in countless of fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds – sources that don’t have all the other bad stuff in them like toxins.

So as you can see, the importance of grains in a diet is actually pretty much a tale twisted by the American Food Industry that has become a part of every household routine around the world. That’s a tough pill to swallow, isn’t it?

The role of grains are so ingrained (cute, huh?) in our lifestyle that my clients and so many others say they want to ditch the grains, but find it difficult to actually do it. So I want to share with you some of my tips for going grain-free!

1. Don’t go cold turkey and ditch the grains all at once. Some can do this, but most people will quit all at once and then sabotage their efforts a few days later with a binge. To gradually incorporate this new lifestyle, you can first begin by ditching the unhealthiest grains (sugary cereal, fruit bars, rice, etc.) and instead opt for healthier versions (quinoa, brown rice, etc.) Once you’ve done that, gradually cut down your portions of grains meal by meal until none exist in your diet.

2. Fill up on proteins, veggies and healthy fats. If you eat plenty of these items, you’re not going to crave the grains as much because your nutrient needs will be satisfied, and you’ll feel fuller longer. For example, eat lots of fish, clean meats and veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, peas, bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, etc. Also, don’t forget to add the healthy fat to each meal – such as avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, nut butters, etc.

3. Don’t keep the grains in your house. As they say – out of sight is out of mind. This holds true for the grains. If you don’t keep them in your house (after they’re gone for good), you’ll be more likely not to eat them.

4. Prepare meals in advance. MY LIFESAVER!  This tip has saved me so much time, patience, and sanity when I decided to change my lifestyle. I always write a meal plan at the beginning of each week and then shop, and prepare the food all in the same day. Prepping meals once a week prevents you from binging on grains when you’re hungry. Purchase glass containers and mason jars to store your food in the freezer after cooking, and then all you’ll have to do is pop your food in the microwave. There will be no time to reach for the granola bars.

5. Indulge in scrumptious Paleo recipes. Another nuisance that could prevent you from experiencing success with your new lifestyle choice is boredom. If you’re making the same chicken and broccoli every day, you’re going to get bored and revert back to your old lifestyle. Therefore, it’s so important to try out new recipes all the time. In our Paleo program, we provide you with over 50 mouthwatering Paleo-approved recipes for you to enjoy. When you purchase the program, you can print out these recipes and when you’re making your meal plan for the week, include various recipes each week to spice up your weekly menu.

Our Paleo program provides everything you need to adopt a Paleo lifestyle. Health advocates around the world, especially those who follow a Paleo lifestyle, understand that grains can actually pose a great harm to your body, leading to illness, disease and even death. To learn more be sure to check out our Paleo Programs; we have a Paleo 3 Day Mini Cleanse program designed for those who want to get their feet wet and figure out what the heck Paleo is all about, and a 14 Days of Paleo program designed for those who are ready for a 14 day kitchen revamp, jam packed with tons of delicious recipes and all the tools you need to experience Paleo!

Want to know more about this lifestyle?  Be sure to check out our blog series, The Ultimate Guide: All About Paleo!

XOXO~S & A

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