Cutting Back

The only thing that people might love more than gorging themselves on their favorite foods is probably fad diets. For about two weeks every year, someone you know or maybe even yourself tries the latest crackpot diet plan that they saw on tv or found on the internet. While most of these things are harmless efforts to motivate yourself, sometimes they can crossover into misplaced concepts of how to live a healthier lifestyle. The only way to truly become healthier and lose weight over time is to cut back and eat better products. I'm not going to give a sermon on Weight Watchers today or genuflect on personal stories. I just want to pass along a few things that you can change immediately in your daily plan without much stress.

We are all busy people these days and at least once a week you're either not home for dinner/lunch or you're too tired to make it happen. I've found that the healthiest option for me in that case (other than the hated Subway) is Chipotle. I know all the horror stories about fat content and blah blah blah. Stepping in the door is only the start, then you need to know what you're getting. Go with either the salad, burrito bowl, or fajita burrito. All these options cut out the beans which are riddled with fat. Choose whatever meat you like, get the pico de gallo because it is fresh vegetables (even if you don't like it, it really doesn't change the taste), load up on lettuce as well, pick your flavorful salsa, then choose either the sour cream or cheese, but not both. Two things you can do to lighten up the burrito is ask for a much smaller portion of rice and tear off unnecessary tortilla parts as you eat. Now the eating out is covered. Sushi is another great option for eating out in a healthy manner, but that is a little more personal.

Now let's tackle grocery shopping. Just stop buying fryer items, fried items, and things from the freezer section. Convenience foods are all bad for you. We all need some snacks so stick to baked chips/tostitos, reduced fat crackers, and fat free pretzels. Check out the granola bar sections for high fiber bars that curb your hunger longer. Another huge cutback can be made in your sandwich choices by getting the 80 to 100 calorie light buns or the sandwich thins. Always stick with low fat cheese options and try to have light string cheese on hand for snacks. If you like the prepackaged salad chicken or other convenience items even like lunchmeat, try buying fresh meat and cooking it yourself on Sunday for the coming week. It will save you money, produce more food, and generally taste better. Pete, how can I live with all this low fat garbage and survive over the long haul? Season your frickin food is how. A well seasoned grilled piece of chicken is better than a fried hunk. Slow roasted, well seasoned meats are way better than prepackaged stuff as well. If you're busy, use your crock pot. Try using ground turkey instead of ground beef in tacos just once and see if you even notice. All of these suggestions may sound like a lot at once, but they really won't change the satisfaction you get from these foods.

My final point about cutting back and getting healthier is probably the toughest. You have to come to terms with the fact that you're probably going to spend more on groceries. Here's the upside: less money on doctor bills, fad diet plans, and insurance rates. Remember the old food diagram from grade school? Well that thing is serious. Besides cutting back on some fats and raising your fiber level, the biggest daily food issue is getting all of your water, five servings of fruit/veg, two dairies, and the necessary amount of protein. Start your day with at least two fruits during breakfast or at the midday snack. Try to get something by way of veg or fruit and a dairy during lunch. Now all you have to do is wrap things up at dinner time. Your second protein should be either breakfast or lunch depending on when you think you need it. Hopefully these ideas will help you create a healthier overall lifestyle and give you food for thought the next time you grab a bite out or get your weekly groceries. If anyone else has a thought or idea that works for them, please add it in the comment section. If you really feel like all of this is too much to tackle alone, then maybe signing on to Weight Watchers will be the right answer for you.

Restaurant Recap

I know full well that this selection will appeal to about 10% of the readership, but I have to put a plug in for Matsuri near the train station in downtown Geneva. This place is literally mom and pop as the husband and wife combo stand behind the sushi bar using the freshest ingredients to create your dishes one by one. The warm appetizers like shumai and gyoza are a great way to start the night, then the wide selection of rolls are all great. Personal favorities include the crazy roll with three types of fish, the baked eel rolls, and the spider roll with soft shell crab. You really can't go wrong with any of your favorites, and I encourage any first timers to give this place a shot. I popped my sushi cherry at this place last year and now I can't get enough. You can trust that they only use the freshest fish and take pride in everything they do. It doesn't hurt that two doors down you can hit a little fresh popcorn stand that cranks out stuff just as good as Garrett's in downtown Chicago.