A Balanced Diet

No, I don't mean a cookie in each hand. A real balanced diet full of protein and energy producing carbohydrates. You need both to keep your body working properly. A well balanced meal, consists of, one serving of  meat or a protein, one serving of a "slow" carb, and one serving of a "fast" carb. Now what is a fast and slow carb mean? Very good question and one I can answer! The simple version is how slow or fast a carbohydrate converts itself into sugar. Slow carbs are things like salad and other non-sugar filled veggies. I will be covering this list in more detail at one point or another. A slow carb is anything starchy. Like pasta, rice and bread. Now yes even though those are normally considered as the "bad" carbs of the world, and while to many can be bad, you still need them.

For simple measuring the average protein is the size of your palm. That can be anything from eggs, to steak, to even tofu (for those of you that can eat that stuff.). Now for slow carbs over all you can eat about as much as you want, so it's good to use a salad as a filler in your meal. Fast carbs on the other hand, your rice, bread and pasta. Those vary so if you are ever sure, just go with about a hand full, roughly one cup. Bread for a snack, (we talked about prior snacking through out the day, are you doing that? If you missed it, check here, Snacking) just go with a slice, but for a meal, go a head and feel free to make it two. (Like a delicious grilled ham and cheese) With pasta and rice, stick to just a basic serving. If you have diabetes try and stick to brown rice and whole grain pasta. Even if you don't, some of the options are pretty tasty.

Now you may be wondering what about my sweets? I won't give up my ice cream! Me neither so don't worry. There is a wonderful saying, all things in moderation. Have your ice cream! Just treat all that sugar as a fast carb in your diet. Lets say you have eggs for breakfast and throw some veggies in them. Great! Instead of hash browns, have a sweet roll, or doughnut. Instead of your baked potato for dinner, save that for ice cream.

It's about making healthy smart choices in your day that will make a difference. Also you will be amazed at how much flavor some foods can add. Try some zucchini in your eggs with some parmesan  cheese next time.

Happy, Healthy Eating
~Skadia