Tanking Up: Rationalizing & The Down and Dirty of Clean Eating

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Let’s talk about health…

It’s no news the fact that being healthy is far better than sick. There’s nothing about being sick that sounds appealing to us. Maybe a short break and a chance to slow down our daily activities but still isn’t fun when all you can do is sleep because you have no energy for anything else…and we’re just mentioning those short term, maybe seasonal flu, kind of thing. What about those more serious and long term conditions, ones that incapacitate us of living a “normal” life without pain or constant medication? What if I tell you that, excluding genetic disorders, we’re the ones who hold the trigger to perfectly preventable diseases if and only IF we stop eating blindly!

We often hear: “oh but we only live once! I’ll have to die of something right? So I’d rather continue eating as I please.” The problem here is HOW are you going to live then? What’s the amount and quality of YOUR life you’re giving up for those extra calories and irrational consumption? My goal here isn’t to prescribe a magical solution or a miraculous diet that will solve all of your problems but to get your attention to a huge problem we’re all facing as a society: malnutrition. Some countries suffer from a lack of basic food and people die of hunger. Others, like ours, have too much and too many options, and we die because we can’t stop…eating! I can’t make up my mind which one is the saddest. Diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases are reaching new escalating records every single year, not only among adults but children and adolescents! What are we doing with our kids? Who is there to blame?

According to the CDC, in the US, the percentage of children and adolescents affected by obesity has more than tripled since the 1970s! Data from 2015-2016 show that nearly one in five school-age children has obesity! Childhood obesity has immediate and long-term effects on physical, social and emotional health.

For example:

  • High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD)
  • Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes
  • breathing problems, such as asthma and sleep apnea
  • joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort
  • fatty liver disease, gallstones, and gastroesophageal reflux
  • psychological problems such as anxiety and depression
  • low self-esteem and lower self-reported quality of life
  • social problems such as bullying and stigma

The list goes on, not to mention that an obese child is likely to become an obese adult and the health effects on adults only get worse. So what are we missing? What component of our lives are we trying to hide from ourselves by binge eating? Or is it just a lack of understanding of what better options we have when it comes to food?

Here is a thing: we are constantly bombarded by the media who tries to influence us in every decision we make. With food is no different! Which one is more appealing? A commercial that features a juicy cheeseburger or a kale salad? You got it! The juicy burger! Which one are you more likely to crave next time you’re out and about? You got it again!

So we must stop that old vicious cycle and start rationalizing the way we eat. Nowadays we have an infinity of healthy options and labels to follow. If Google becomes too overwhelming seek professional help! A Health Coach is a profession that bloomed in recent years and they have a global understanding of what good health should look like. In other words, they won’t simply prescribe a diet and send you home with a “best of luck” note. They will transform your relationship with food and will be by your side in every step of the way until you reach your goal.

Same advise works for our kids! Don’t wait until the damage is visible to take actions! Prevention is always the best. Teach them from a young age to choose wisely. Kids are eager to learn and curious by nature so introduce the fruit salad before the muffin. Make the cooking time a fun time on weekends when they can join you in the kitchen and learn how to prepare their food from scratch and not from a bag that we throw in the microwave. Nurture from a young age the respect for the environment showing that our food comes from the soil and we need clean waterways to make everything possible.

Take the time to prepare your kid’s meal with love and consciousness, knowing that the energy we put in the making will get into their bodies and vitalize them in more ways than we know about. Simply put, food is one of the most important sources of energy. What are you feeding your body? A clean fuel or one that will leave your system fighting the residues of a poor choice?

Being a Health Coach, I’m passionate about leading people to the best version of themselves. Comment below if you’d like to schedule a complimentary consultation. 

In the meantime, check out my QUICK TIP

Food for thought – Do you know about “The Dirty Dozen List”?

Every year the Environmental Working Grouplist releases a list of twelve items that are tested to be compromised by chemicals such as pesticides. It’s paramount to choose organic versions of these items. Just buying fruits and vegetables is not enough in today’s food mart. Click above to see the fruits and vegetables making the 2019 list. You’ll be surprised!

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Viviane
Viviane Delfino de San Martin was born in Brazil. Growing up in the beautiful city of Sao Paulo, Viviane learned to appreciate the beautiful things of life. At a very tender age, she had always wanted to see the world and explore every inch of it. She attended Canada High School in Buenos Aires. She later returned to Sao Paulo for her college education at Mackenzie University, where she finished with distinction in International Business in 2005.In 2013, Viviane started her own business called “Wishes on Leashes” (www.wishesonleashes.com), a business that caters to the walking of pets for clients. In 2018 she welcomed her first daughter Ava. Viviane enjoys traveling the world, meeting new people and taking care of her family. She aspires to help people to become a better and healthier version of themselves.

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