Ditch the Doritos and try lentil chips (and my dip, too)

Make text smaller Make text larger

Naughty Nana has arrived to stay and the naughtiness is already out of control. I arrived home to find the kids elbow deep in her make up bag, powdering their noses and applying lip gloss. I then discovered little Belle sitting on the potty, wearing Nana’s glasses, clutching her BlackBerry and trying to text. At bedtime, I stepped out of the bathroom for just a few minutes, only to return to an earnest conversation about nudist colonies. I am not sure that four year olds need to know that some people go shopping in the buff. Preferring life half dressed, Chloe needs very little encouragement in that respect. So if you see me with a naked child in Lindos, you will know what happened.

On the up side, there have been very few incidents of naughty nutrition. Not a jelly bean in sight! The kids must be disappointed as Nana is normally a reliable source of treats. However, Nana is on a health kick and being Very Good. It did get me thinking though. So many people I know go through phases when they are “good” and phases when they are “bad”. How disheartening that every time you have something you enjoy, it’s tainted by the thought you are doing something wrong.

I have long since discovered that people only permanently embrace being healthy when it’s something they love. Exercising and eating a healthy diet has to taste good and make you feel good, or it’s just not going to stick. It’s human nature to seek out things we enjoy, so if we see healthy living as something that deprives us, it’s not going to last now is it?

This morning I had an e-mail from a friend who was at a loss when it came to her will power. Professionally, she coaches others on addiction and works on the subconscious mind, yet finds it difficult to control her own weight and what goes in her mouth. She said she felt pathetic. And yet it’s so very normal.

I think a lot of people feel that way. They just can’t understand when they want to be slim and they want to be healthy, why they can’t say no to the junk. The hardest part is that there’s no escaping food. Imagine being an alcoholic, and every day, no matter what the circumstances or how carefully you choose your environment, being offered an alcoholic drink. At least three times a day, possibly more, someone gives you the choice between a glass of wine, or a glass of water. How long do you think your willpower would last?

The fact is that junk food is addictive too. I have written about this before and we know that science backs this up. The combination of sugar, fat and salt is more physiologically stimulating, pleasing and addictive than drugs. To make this harder, humans have evolved to take advantage of carbohydrate and energy rich foods. As hunter-gatherers, those types of fuel sources were rarely in prolific supply. When we came across them, our bodies said “stock up!” and we did. The problem is that we are still programmed that way — and yet there is a carb dense option on every corner. Not only that, but these options are highly processed and packaged up with a whole host of nasties.

When it comes to the junk, one of the best the tricks is to reframe how you see those things. Really listen to how your body feels after eating them. You may get a taste-hit immediately, but how do you feel half an hour later. Sluggish? Bloated? Gassy? Tired? Keep making the connection between what you eat and how you feel and you’ll be more motivated to change.

It’s also really important that you don’t see health food as something that deprives you. If you haven’t enjoyed what you’ve tried so far, keep looking for things you DO like. If you are a crispy, crunchy, savoury snack sort of person, try ditching the Doritos and trying some lentil chips! Lentil chips are everywhere right now — yes they’re in Miles but they’re in Lindos and a lot of the other grocery stores too. Look for the ones made by the Mediterranean Snack company. They’re 70% lower in bad fats than regular chips, they have a little bit of protein to help balance your blood sugar and they provide a hefty dose of fibre. They are also TASTY. If you are trying to break the chip habit, try including lentil chips on a plate of dippers that includes some of your regular chips and some veggie sticks too. Work yourself in gently! Check out my Facebook page for a delicious example and snack without the guilt this weekend.

If you’d like to make some healthy guacamole to go with the dippers, here’s an easy recipe. Enjoy!

Guacamole:

2 large ripe avocados

2 limes

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

½ small onion, finely chopped

1 medium sized tomato

1 clove garlic, minced or finely chopped

¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper

¼ tsp ground coriander (or use 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander but stir through at the end instead.)

1 pinch salt

black pepper

1. Chop the tomato into tiny chunks and set to one side

2. Put the olive oil in a mixing bowl and add the garlic

3. Add ¾ of the chopped onion

4. Cut the avocados in half, remove the stone, scoop out the insides with a spoon (removing any bruised bits) and add to the mixture

5. Squeeze the limes and add ¾ of the juice

6. Add the salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper and ground coriander (optional)

7. Blend with a hand-held blender, or pop in a processor, until the mixture is smooth

8. Stir in the chopped tomato, remaining onion and fresh coriander if you are going that route.

9. Test! Add more lime/pepper to taste.

The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION is the Managing Director of Natural Ltd and a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in the UK. Please note that she is not a Registered Dietitian. For details, please go to www.natural.bm or call 236-7511. Join Catherine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nutrifitandnaturalnutritionbermuda

Make text smaller Make text larger

Take Our Poll