My balanced diet

I used to eat a lot. Like 4 huge meals a day. And usually dinner would have a lot of seconds involved - especially 3rd for bread!

When I got to college, the cafeterias are all you can eat. So lunch and dinner (when I would eat in the cafeteria) were often 1 or 2 platefuls of food, plus a bowl of cereal, and dessert. But don’t think that was my only dessert for the night…Kristie and I always delighted in ice cream before bed!

As you can see I used to eat a lot. Key phrase - used to. Last year I didn’t gain the freshman 15, but I did gain the desire for naps. I was always tired, always felt weighed down, and always wanted energy. Whether energy was in the form of food or sleep, I wanted it. I don’t know the scientific reason why, but I would logically guess that my body became dependent on the amount of energy I gave it through food, so I had to maintain that amount of energy or I was often tired.

This past spring (March, I believe) I went vegetarian. The first thing I did was research. Repeatedly, I read, “DON’T FILL YOUR DIET WITH CARBS!” But, remember, I love bread! At first, the college cafeteria often delve me into eating pizza (carbs), cereal (more carbs), and boca burgers (veggie protein with some carbs). Eventually, I noticed my unhealthy habits and I started to eat a salad to give me some greens, and I often ate fruit. The more I became conscious of what I was eating, the better I began to feel. Veggies became the biggest part of my diet and gave me a lot of energy - but it wasn’t easy. Eating has a HUGE psychological side. My body was used to eating 3 platefuls of food. When I only ate 1 and it was all healthy, my mind freaked. But, slowly I got used to it by constantly telling myself, “you are full”.

This summer, I worked outside all day (sweating energy), entertaining kids (using a lot of energy), and not sleeping much (not gaining energy). Starbucks became my BEST FRIEND! And believe me the pounds of friendship came right after the drinks. I gained about 10 pounds this summer. Before I go farther I need to make a side-note:

My thoughts on poundage:

• I don’t believe in counting calories
• I don’t believe in having to be a certain pant size
• I don’t believe in having to be a certain number on a scale
• I DO believe in feeling healthy

Alright now that that’s done.

So, I gained weight, big deal. But along with gaining weight I felt heavier, less mobile, and mostly I often felt short of breath.

So now to the point. I changed my ways.

Everyday, I eat a very balanced diet. Why? Because when I eat balanced and in proportions, I feel lighter. It’s kind of the a minimalist diet (and by “diet” I mean “way of eating”)

So The Minimalist’s Diet

• Servings are 1 plate of food.
• I eat only that one plate, one plate = one meal. The biggest part of my diet is the proportion side. I once read somewhere that it can be called the 7 or 8 inch diet, depending on how wide the plate is. (oh, in America, plate diameters have increased over the past 40 years…fatties!)
• Have 3 meals a day, sometimes I have a midnight snack of 3 cookies because remember I do this to be happy so a few extras isn’t going to kill me.
• Drink water. LOTS! It gives keeps me hydrated (good for the skin), helps with digestion, and keeps me full for longer.
• No soda…I’ll admit every now and then I really crave a sip of rootbeer, so I buy a bottle and make it last for over a month.
• Tea instead of coffee
• minimal milk (3 servings of dairy a day)
• Have a colorful plate (I struggle with this one because I forget my greens)
• Drink, while, you eat. This slows down how fast you eat, so you realize how full you are while you eat, which makes regulation easier.
• Ask yourself, are you really hungry?

This is the way I eat now. I still enjoy food, believe me! Eating is actually more fun, because I look forward to how I can mix up my plateful! Since I have 1) gone vegetarian and 2) started observing how much I eat, I feel fresh, healthy, and I think my brain works better (haha). Also, I save a lot of money, because I don’t but meat and my food lasts longer since I eat small amounts at a time.

I just thought I would share this because eating is something very important in my life, as is my health. This is how I work to please my eating and improve my health!

Maybe some of you enjoyed this?