I have always hated the word diet…mostly because it has the word “die” in it, and no one ever sticks to them anyway. I prefer “lifestyle choices”, because let’s face it:  you are what you eat is a true statement whether you are making healthy eating choices or poor eating choices.

While I do have a sweet tooth and love food, I have found that by eating whole, fresh food that is organic, gluten free and non-processed, I can pretty much satisfy my sweet tooth (with dark raw chocolate) and my love of food (with a nice piece of grass fed filet with mushroom sauce and a kale salad). I eat grass fed meat, wild salmon, free range chicken and eggs, lots of fresh veggies, almonds, seeds, some fruit, and a little starch (sweet potatoes, rice and/or gluten free cereal). Since I don’t have any allergies, I could eat anything, and I have. However, I will usually feel tired and bloated if I do eat a big piece of lasagna or chocolate cake, but I don’t beat myself up about it…I’ll make a healthy choice for the next meal.

I think one of the most important things we can do as consumers is be informed.  Know what you are eating, where your food comes from and most importantly if you are going to eat any packaged food:  read labels! Watch for hidden sugars like sucrose, fructose and dextrose and partially hydrogenated oils which are sources of trans fats. Stay away from MSG, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin, sodium nitrates and artificial colorings.

While it is sometimes inconvenient, I try to go to the farmer’s market twice a week and eat what’s in season, local and organic. It takes some work and preparation to make those healthy lifestyle choices, but my family and I benefit enormously from it.