I love doing challenges that make me stay on track or can give me a boost when I'm getting off my diet goals.
I have my own way of "dieting" I'm a plant-based eater, but there are times that I mess up and fall into the dirty vegan category. I do not consume animal products, but there are times that I add unnecessary oils and added sugars to my diet. Then I need to reset my taste buds and get back on track to my plant-based lifestyle. This is how I do it.
I follow the guidelines set by John A. McDougall in the Starch Solution.
I will do a brief overview of how I follow the guidelines. But to fully experience and to completely follow the suggested guidelines, a person should get the book and read it. I will explain how I do it and how it has worked for me.
Eliminate
I will start with the foods that I avoid.
Meat
Dairy
Eggs
Fish
Processed food (if it is in a box, avoid it)
Oils (vegetable, olive, EVOO, etc.)
The book will suggest more foods to avoid. I find it easy to exclude the listed items because I already have eliminated most of them from my diet. When I use oils and processed vegan foods and feel it is time to reset, I will revert to the Starch Solution.
What you should eat
Now for the fun part, all the food you should eat, this is what I love about the Starch Solution all the food you can eat. We have always heard to avoid starchy foods and carbohydrates. Why? Carbohydrates are not bad when it's in their whole form, they actually give us energy. All plants that we eat have starch and store energy in the form of carbohydrates so, why should we avoid them? I am not saying you should eat a bag of doughnuts or any kind of processed starches or carbs. I am saying, vegetables are full of starch, and I bet no one will tell you to avoid eating your veggies.
When making a meal, you need to know the different types of food, high carb, and low carb foods.
High carb foods:
Whole Grains
Unrefined Flour
Eggless Pasta
Some Root Vegetables (potatoes, rutabaga, yams, etc.)
Winter Squash
Legumes
Lentils
Peas
Low carb foods:
Fruits (yes, any fruit there are too many to list)
Green leafy vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables
Summer squash
Green Beans, and
Chickpeas
Pretty much any green and yellow vegetables here are some common ones but, there are too many to list.
Is that all?
So that seems simple right? Make your plate by splitting it in half and filling half of your plate with starchy foods and the other half with nonstarchy foods. Eat until you are no longer hungry and if you feel you need seconds then eat them. Just make sure the second portion you eat the nonstarchy food first.
That is not all to achieve maximum results it is not only about what you eat but also how active you are. You can't expect to overeat all the time and never move and get the results you want. I am not saying you need to be a gym buff and work out ten hours a day. But you should do some sort of moderate exercise for 30 to 60 minutes every day. This is completely achievable if you are really interested in losing weight and being healthy.
Go get started
Now that you know the basics go get started. You will find it easy once you try it and you will not only start looking better you will start feeling better. That should be motivation enough to get you going.
If you need more motivation see my coaching page or follow me on IG at @green_sprout_living where I post recipes and motivational tips.
Get started to a new healthier version of yourself!
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