Simple Steps to Eating Healthier

[eoma_p]

I get overwhelmed by the array of choices and the heated debates about how to eat healthy, whether it matters, WHAT matters.  There are so many choices and so many heated debates.  First debate is what it's okay to eat:  omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, "seagan", nothing with nipples, no land animals, only raw, high fiber, low fat, low carb,, etc.  Second debate is where it should come from:  local, organic, sustainable, "natural", etc.  Then, how should it be prepared:  low fat, no trans fat, raw, unpasteurized, low sodium, unrefined, whole grain, etc.

I'm feeling discouraged about healthy eating, and that may not be justified.  As I think about it, I'm heading in the right direction, just not moving as quickly as I'd like.  I'm working on these steps.  I'm finding them simple to understand, but not so simple to implement.

1. Knowing what I eat and where it came from.  I'm reading labels carefully, and thinking hard before eating something when I don't know exactly what the ingredients are or where they come from.  I do go ahead and eat junk, but less often than I used to and with an awareness that I'm eating junk.
2. Cutting back on refined grains and refined sugar.  This is probably my biggest weakness because I have a huge sweet tooth.
3. Preparing food in simpler ways.  Fresh spring asparagus is great roasted and sprinkled with salt pepper and balsamic vinegar.  It doesn't need a high calorie sauce or white flour bread crumbs for the flavor to shine.  Green beans are delicious with a touch of butter and herbs; no need for a casserole with canned mushroom soup and fried onions.
4. Paying attention when I eat.  Instead of mindlessly munching in front of the TV or rushing through lunch without tasting a bite, taking time to savor food leads to enjoying food more and eating less.

Baby steps.  Baby steps.