My husband and I mostly eliminated a few beloved foods from our kitchen cabinets and refrigerator recently, and it didn't take us long to find healthy substitutes for those foods. As I watch my 90-year-old parents age, I am becoming more and more conscientious about the foods I buy and eat. What we eat is what we become with regard to our future health and happiness.
As a child, I was one who used food as solace. That is not a good practice, but was a large part of my growing up years. Later, I married a man who is, in many ways, a food expert--that's part of his livelihood and passion. I'm learning a lot, but it's difficult to change those hardwired patterns from the early years. Yet, I continue to strive to do better in this arena.
I believe that the key is to change the routines so that our homes are filled with healthy foods from reputable sources. Substituting less healthy foods with healthier foods is a positive step in that direction. Also, learning more and more about good recipes and nutrition helps too.
With a doctor's appointment in a couple months, and a few personal physical statistics I want to change for the better, what will I do?
Routine
When and where we shop for food plays an important role in our overall health. We're fortunate to live in an area where we are surrounded by multiple food stores, so there are many options. I want to read more about the healthiest choices, identify where I can get those, and then make that part of our regularl routine. For example, I read about the dangers of canned tomatoes this morning--I want to use fresh tomatoes more or tomatoes stored in cans without all those chemicals or glass jars. I read that Trader Joe's is one source of healthier tomatoes--I'll find out more.
Growing your own food
Our kitchen aerogarden has been a great source of fresh herbs for our home cooked meals. That's been a welcome addition. We're also planting a backyard garden that will produce some great vegetables, and when available, we buy fresh foods from local farms. And perhaps, like one healthy relative, we may invest in a freezer where we can store fresh veggies for the winter months too--we'll see.
Healthy substitutes
Knowing your go-to foods for comfort, helps you to find good substitutes. For example plain yogurt with fresh fruits and berries can be a great substitute for ice cream. Popcorn or cut-up veggies gives you the healthy crunch you may desire and are a positive substitute for potatoe chips. Understanding what you like about a food, and then figuring out substitutes that give you what you like in a healthy way is good way to make healthy substitutes.
Make time to eat healthy food
Rather than eating on the run, make time to eat healthy, nutritious foods. Too many of our society's routines don't take the health and pleasure that food offers seriously. School and work place cafeterias are often uncomfortable, unpleasing and rushed--that creates poor, unhealthy eating habits and attitudes. Fast food is too common. We need to rethink our cultural patterns and places so that we have the time to prepare, enjoy, and celebrate beautiful, delicious foods.
Prepare your own foods
One of the great silver linings to the pandemic has been that many people have learned to prepare foods in better ways. The presentation, taste, and nutrition of wonderful meal preparation enriches people's days and lives. It's mostly healthier to prepare your own foods. Yet, eating out at wonderful restaurants introduces you to new foods and new ways to prepare foods. So for special occassions, this is positive too.
Satisfying meals
When meals are well prepared and pleasing with regard to taste and visually, we are more satisfied and crave less food. The more you can learn to prepare foods in positive ways, the healthier and more satisfying meals will be.
Cost doesn't have to be a factor
The fact that we are rushing too much, makes people spend and waste more with regard to food. If you make the time, you can eat well for less money, but that takes good research, preparation and planning.
I have always enjoyed food, but now I am quickly becoming a foodie because no only does it bring me pleasure, but cooking for others in nutritious, pleasing ways brings them pleasure too. There's lots more to learn, and I look forward to this continued adventure.