Author: Lauren Regula[Read Time: 4min]
So…this question could come at any given time on any given day…
“Is (insert food) ok to eat?”
Is it okay to eat Gluten-Free bread? Is deli meat bad for me? Are KIND bars okay? The list is literally a mile long.
We understand that you are looking for a simple “yes” or “no” answer when you ask this question, but it just ain’t that simple.
Hopefully by now you know our view on this is. If you don’t here it is, take it all in. Really digest it.
There is no RIGHT and WRONG. There are only CHOICES.
Read it again. As our son Jack says, “No No No”. Read it again.
Let’s use an example. How about deli meat. If someone is eating deli meat when they had choice between wild caught salmon and deli meat, we’d say it’s not a good choice.
If that same person eats deli meat and they were choosing between that and a muffin, we’d say it’s a great choice!
There you have it. Deli meat can be both a terrible and fantastic choice.
At TrAk, we like to simplify things. There are definitely foods that we like to avoid, but, as with many in life, sometimes they are unavoidable. Our goal is to get each and every one of you to make the best CHOICES on a day-to-day basis, so you can be your best self. With all of that being said, here is a lift of what we like to call our Upgrades.
Sandwiches – Remove the bread, double the meat, add tomatoes, lettuce and pickles or whatever veggie toppings that sound good.
Regular Granola Bars – Lara Bars are an okay option or just nuts with some low-sugar fruit, like berries.
Dried Fruit – Just eat REAL fruit. Dried fruit almost always has added sugar, plus the drying process concentrates the sugar content.
Salad Dressings – Make your own. One of our personal favorites is a tablespoon of honey, six tablespoons of olive oil, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, half a teaspoon of lemon juice and salt and pepper. Even store made “vinagerettes” have a lot of ingredients that aren’t desirable.
Gatorade – Just stick with water. Use electrolyte enhanced water if you feel you need to replace those electrolytes.
Fancy Sugar-Laden Coffee – Yup. We are going to, gasp!, suggest regular black coffee. Coffee is often never the problem in a person’s diet. It’s what people put IN their coffee that is the problem. Black coffee might take a while to get used to, but once you are there, your waistline and energy levels will thank you!
Yogurt – Swap out regular store brands (Dannon, Yoplait etc) with the real deal Greek yogurts such as Fage. Make sure they are non-flavored. Choose full-fat or non-fat based on where you are with your macros. If you are looking to shed body fat, then the Fage Zero is your choice.
So take this short list of upgrades, keep asking questions, and start making better choices.
Good luck and get moving.
