Practical Tips For Cutting Back On Meats
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| CDC photo |
To check out an in-season list of fruits and vegetables, go to www.cdc.gov .
- Reduce your meat portion. If you usually eat three pieces of chicken, reduce it to one piece. If you usually eat a supersized portion of meat, eat a regular sized portion!
- Increase your vegetable portion. If you reduce your meat portion without increasing your vegetable portion, you will either be too hungry or you will fill up on breads and pastas. Your goal of deciding to eat more fruits and vegetables should ultimately make you healthier , not fatter. Therefore, you do not want to overcompensate for meat by loading up on breads, cookies, white rice and junk food.
- Take baby steps. Start by eliminating meat for one meal a week . Progress to eliminating meat one meal per day. Eventually take week-long meatless challenges. I am happy to say that I eat meatless meals at least three days per week. This did not happen over night! When I do eat meat, meat is no longer the main course. This is something that I had to get accustomed to. In my household - growing up - meat was the main course. I can remember, at family gatherings, we often had three or more meats. They were not served as just choices. There was enough so that everyone could have a portion of all of them.
- Enjoy your vegetables. Google or You Tube different ways to prepare your favorite vegetable. If you are not a vegetable eater, challenge yourself to try a different vegetable each time you grocery shop. Trust me, there are bound to be vegetables that you've never tried that you are sure to like. One thing that surprised me about eating vegetables is that I had no idea that so many of them can be eaten raw.
- Network with supportive people. Find You Tubers or bloggers who share the same or similar goals. Listen to what they have to share. Learn from it. No two people are the same. You must ultimately do what is best for you!
Disclaimer: These are tips that I have found helpful for me.
I can eat a meatless meal anytime. Those veggies had best be seasoned to taste well though. I always get veggie plates on Sunday at our local dining spot. Every now and then I'll order a meat. Other than that, I pretty much do eat meat with most meals. I too had and still have options of 3 to 4 meats at family gatherings. I usually partake on at least 2 :)
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love it when restaurants offer veggie plates? Thanks for stopping by, Joi!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! I actually started to feel better when I cut back my meat consumption. I still eat meat, but as an ingredient rather than as the entire entree. I make sure to put plenty of butter and seasoning on my veggies when I cook them. I am surprised at how much my daughter likes to eat raw vegetables. She just discovered sugar peas last night. She actually asked for them for her lunch today. I love your advice about networking with like minded folks. If you surround yourself with folks who eat junk food that will be your norm as well. I have learned so much from my Real Food network of friends and they help me to stay motivated and on the right track.
ReplyDeleteI love what you said about meat being an ingredient rather than an entrée. Great tip!
DeleteTrinity, I appreciate your healthy-living tips! I'm definitely a veggie-girl! I primarily eat organic veggies and very little meat. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you ~ Mary
I like veggies, too. I think that people who don't like veggies have probably not tried a variety of them. Blessings to you, also!
DeleteHmnn... I am not a biggie on meat, but I know some of my friends who are. Will tell them about this. Thanks for sharing, and have a super blessed weekend!
ReplyDeleteLove
Thanks, Ugochi, for sharing this post. Be blessed!
ReplyDelete