Food and Exercise – a Diet Pretzel

November 10, 2009

I find it ironic that the month that kicks off  the biggest eating binge of the year with Thanksgiving, November, is also National Good Nutrition Month. ( Mind you, it is also Georgia Pecan Month, National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month, National Pepper Month, National Pomegranate Month, Raisin Bread Month and Vegan Month!).  November 1 is National Deep Fried Clam. I live in a geography where it costs more NOT to have your food deep fat fried – what is wrong with this picture?

So I want to spend a little time talking about my lifetime obsession – that twisted relation of health/weight/food. The national obsession and information overload on health and weight management is confusing. I’m actually going to break it into two parts, and I bet you know what they are – DIET and EXERCISE.

Part I -Diet

Help Tracking your Diet

We all have good intentions – and most of us mom’s try to put balance of good food on the table (although many are tied to the old food pyramid). The government has put together a really good site to explain this, and plan and track your progress to eating well.   Give it a look see and gets your kids involved in planning.

Reality is we will all eat a little of everything – and that ‘s the key – A Little!

When you look at the portions in quick serve restaurants, they are full of fat, salt and calories – even a salad can contain a whole day’s worth (we all watch morning TV and have seen the expos).  And heaven knows on a cold day I’m the first to line up for Mac and Cheese, or a cup of steaming hot cocoa with whipped cream, and that’s ok as an indulgence. But you can’t really live that way.

Our nation has an epidemic of obesity, starting with our children.  We owe it to them to improve. If you really knew what a portion was, you could probably cut your food budget down – the man at the fish counter is always trying to sell me a ½ pound per person, when a portion is 4-5 ounces – half the amount.  And the right portion for a toddler is ¼ that of an adult.

I spend a lot of time on the road where I do my best to piece together something clean and simple to eat – and I succeed about 60% of the time. All you have to do is look at my wardrobe to see the yo-yo battle.  I used to make excuses, but the only person I’m fooling is me. 

Manage Your Family’s Diet and Budget

The good news for managing your family’s diet and budget in these time is:

1. Cooking and eating at home is 1/3 less expensive than eating out.
2. Fresher/less processed food is generally less expensive.
3. Coupons are great, but are they helping you purchase the healthiest food for your family?  Many processed foods are convenient, but may not have the best nutritional value – sodium and fat are two things to watch. (If you don’t know it – check this out  for retailer coupons).
4. Cooking and coming together for a meal is a great way to connect. –whether within your immediate family, or everyone bringing potluck for Thanksgiving.

Eat as many fruit and vegetables as possible, serve food that is as close to fresh as possible, exercise and you’ll be fine.

If you eat in balance and control your portions– you can eat almost anything! What’s your favorite way to stay in control?  Pass the dark chocolate please, it’s good for my heart!

For more National Food Holidays click here!

Tweet This Post

Filed under: Cooking Tips, Healthy Living, Shopping Tips, Uncategorized

Tags: cooking, diet, diets, dining, eating, eats, exercise, exercises, fitness, fitness exercises, food blog, food pyramid, foods, healthy, healthy eating, nutrition, passionate, recipes, walking, weight loss, weight loss diet