By Alexandra Jones
Knowing exactly what the ‘right’ foods to eat in order to achieve your weight loss goals can be a tricky business for many of us. With a mine-field of conflicting information out there and an ever increasing number of people now being overweight there appears to be a lot of confusion. I have learnt from experience that it’s best to take the guesswork out of things and to only do what is proven to help you achieve the results you really want.
For the vast majority of our time on this planet we human beings have existed on a natural diet, eating meat, fish and seafood, seasonal vegetables, some fruits, nuts and seeds. It’s only for the past 50 years or so of our time on the planet that we’ve started eating an unnatural diet of processed foods, sugar, hormone and chemical laden foods. Many of our waistlines have changed as dramatically as our foods and food choices have; I do not believe in coincidences, there has to be a connection here!
The benefits of natural nutrition
We are not supposed to be struggling constantly with weight loss and health problems, feeling stressed out and exhausted. Switching to a natural diet allows your body to function as nature intended: with an effective metabolism burning your food and body fat for energy, with an abundance of energy, vitality and mental clarity, and with your bodies systems and hormones balanced and working in harmony.
The simplest way to take control and switch to a natural diet is to cut out sugar and foods with hidden sugars. You can do this by eating low glycaemic (GI) foods. Insulin is a hormone which is counterproductive to fat burning and weight loss. Low GI foods help keep any responses to insulin in your body as low and regulated as possible creating an environment conducive to achieving your weight loss and health goals. Increased levels of insulin are also known to contribute to many health issues including diabetes, heart disease and cancer which is even more reason to make that switch.
The obvious foods which contain sugar are cakes, biscuits, sweets and desserts. The less obvious ones to be aware of are starches (such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes), as these are also high in sugars and considered high GI.
Look to switch from white bread, white rice and white pasta to brown or whole-wheat options. Give rye bread a try as it’s delicious; as is quinoa, a great alternative to rice which is high in protein. Despite their name sweet, potatoes are a tasty low GI alternative to white potatoes and there are healthy lower GI versions of pasta made from vegetables or beans too! In addition, reduce the overall amount of starches you eat. Avoid eating them with every meal and instead fill up with protein (meat, fish and eggs), plenty of salad and green vegetables, and some healthy natural fats such as avocadoes, nuts and seeds.
I have to warn you that there are side effects to eating this way… not only will a natural diet cause you to experience greater levels of energy, you’ll also feel fuller and more satisfied for longer. You will burn fat off your body and find it SO much easier to achieve your weight loss goals, to do it healthily and stay that way for good!
Alexandra Jones of Healthy Girl UK is living proof that natural nutrition works! She is the author of the eBook ‘How to get slim and stay slim’ and upcoming book Slim, Sexy & Sensational – Discover the New & Easy Way to Lasting Weight Loss.
Alexandra is a well respected Weight Loss & Wellbeing Coach who works helping her clients achieve lasting results.
