My husband and I have changed the way we eat. Where once my typical day’s meals included cereal, a sandwich and pasta, it now consists of fruit…
and vegetables. Which I don’t even like that much.
Except now, the way I physically feel is convincing me that this is how I should eat. Where once I felt lethargic to the point of wanting a nap every afternoon, I now have much more energy. I’m not hungry. And, the carnivore which once raged inside me is slowly slinking away.
The precipitating cause for this radical change was the promise that Dr. Furhman makes for a healthy life in his book, Eat to Live. Cholesterol, which is my problem, and inflammatory disease, which is my husband’s problem, are two of the many diseases addressed by this way of eating.
The plan is simple, really. Each day, the goal is to eat:
- four fresh fruits
- unlimited green salads
- cooked vegetables
- beans
- raw nuts (a handful)
- ground flax seed (a tablespoon)
No where in the plan is fettucine and gelato. But, no where in the plan is heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, and a myriad of other illnesses.
I’m convinced this is the way to live.
Dolce Bellezza 
I would have no trouble eating like this. My husband, on the other hand, would die of starvation. He loves meat, but really should eat better as he has high cholesterol, too. ☺
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No wonder you’re so slim! I’m not heavy, but I’m not as trim as I used to be. Worse, my cholesterol is approaching the three digit number that is the calories of a Big Mac. The nurse said, when I laughed as she gave me the count, “This is not funny, Ms. Bellezza.” To be sure, time to watch the fat.
As for husbands, most of them love meat. And, I agree; it’s hard to beat a rare steak.
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Nice! You go girl.
For me, the loss of pasta is made easier to bear because of spaghetti squash. Have you tried it? It’s the perfect pasta sub I think.
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I haven’t tried spaghetti squash, but I’ve heard good things about it. I’m sure I’ll probably get to it soon as I’m working my way through all the vegetables. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Wow! That’s terrific that you changed the way you eat and that its already having such a positive effect on you. I’ve been thinking about doing the same as well. It just never seems like the right time to start – excuses, excuses! I know that I really should clean up my eating habits as I have autoimmune hepatitis and my doc thinks it could help. I have cut back on salt and fizzy, sugary drinks, but that’s about it. Hmm…perhaps its time to really dive into fresh fruits and veg and never look back.
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I never expected to actually feel different in a positive way, instead of being cross about all that I can no longer enjoy. I have given myself permission for an occasional treat, if necessary, but that is no longer a daily exception. And, weird as it is, I no longer crave such glorious desserts as I once did; now the thought almost makes me ill.
Cutting out Coke was a HUGE deal for me, very difficult, which I gave up a few months ago. I feel your pain on that one.
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Don’t you wish you ate like this years ago?
It’s funny, because this weekend I had SO MUCH energy and bounded around like the Energizer Bunny, when I tried to figure out why, it was because, I ate light : yogurt, fruits and veggies, along with home made chicken soup. No bread, pasta (well a few egg noodles in the soup) or other carbs, which make me want to nap the older I get.
Sounds like a great book.
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That bread, and pasta, and sugar groups are all the ones my mouth loves…but, the rest of my body doesn’t. So glad we’re finding our energy again! Less naps=more time to read, right? 🙂
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My husband just went on a diet but he’s just cutting back on sugar and calories right now. I’m trying to get him to eat more veggies and fruit. It’s almost impossible. What do you eat for supper?
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The theory here, and it’s spot on, is that eating foods rich in nutrients and fiber makes you less hungry for the bad stuff. I’m shocked about how “not hungry” I am! Dinner has become soup and a salad, but a good soup, like minestrone (with only a handful of pasta) or black bean soup, or carrot-pumpkin soup. I like to have different temperatures with my meal, not everything hot or everything cold, which is part of why soup and salad works, with fruit for dessert. You should try it for just one week and see how you like it. See how you feel
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Congratulations! It is so hard to change what and how you eat but yet the difference it makes can be so amazing. Good job!
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🙂
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It’s wonderful to find what works for you! If it make you feel good, then there is something to it. I don’t think I can go all vegetarian but I’ve drastically lowered my meat intake and feel better for it. Have you read Laurel’s Kitchen, which is about vegetarian cooking and nutrition? I found it a lifechanger for its message of “eating intentionally”. Here’s the link, if you’d like to look into it: http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.ca/2006/03/laurels-kitchen-by-laurel-robertson.html
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It’s really funny, but the less meat I eat the less I miss it. I never expected that to happen. In fact, when I think of the dear animals…I don’t want it at all! Thanks for the link to Laurel’s Kitchen. I’ll look at it carefully this weekend.
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Bellezza, best of luck with this new regime! I think healthful eating is very important, and it’s important to learn to like healthy food (which literally becomes your body). Making some changes is good for many people (but not going to extremes and becoming obsessed). I will “check out” the book link. 🙂
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I so want to make this change but I struggle really hard. I need my carbs (bread and pasta). I am working on increasing my fruit intake though and hopefully that will help correct my carb cravings (at least I hope so).
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A dietitian (nutritionist) once advised me that I should add colors to my diet. The colorful fruits and vegetables in your photos are the ones I’m supposed to eat.I’m fond of greens (vegetables) and doughy heavy bread.
I eat a lot of nuts more than fruits.I’m trying to change.
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