Myth: Meat is the Only Source of Protein

Many people believe meat is the only way to get protein. While meat farmers would like you to believe this, it's actually just another myth. While meat is high in protein, there are other sources as well.

Myth: Eating Healthy is Expensive

I'm sure you've heard this one. Many people believe in the myth that healthy food is more expensive. Eating crap is what's really more expensive--you pay with your health (see previous posts on that sandwhich with sneaker juice, white bread and cancer meat).

I purchased all of this for about 20 bucks. For $30 I also got three desserts and two sandwiches from the same store. The processed stuff definitely won't last past today.  This on the hand, will last for a whole week or more.

According to a news report healthy eating is cheaper than you may think:

An Agriculture Department study released Wednesday found that most fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods cost less than foods high in fat, sugar and salt.But comparing the cost of foods by weight or portion size shows that grains, vegetables, fruit and dairy foods are less expensive than most meats or foods high in saturated fat, added sugars or salt.
That means bananas, carrots, lettuce and pinto beans are all less expensive per portion than French fries, soft drinks, ice cream or ground beef.
"Using price per calorie doesn't tell you how much food you're going to get or how full you are going to feel," said Andrea Carlson, scientist at the USDA's Economic Research Service and an author of the study.
For example, eating a chocolate glazed donut with 240 calories might not satiate you but a banana with 105 calories just might.

So not only does clean eating save you calories, it also saves you money. Sounds like a win-win to me. 

Have you tried clean eating on a budget? Let me know below! 

Say What? The McRib

Water, flour, yeast. These are the basic ingredients for bread. Yet for some reason (profits) McDonald's says that's not enough. I mean, let's face it, moldy bread just won't sell.

Myth: What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You

I am not one of those people that goes around telling all my family and friends the truth about everything they eat and drink. Most people don't want to hear it and quite frankly, I'm not here to shove anything down someone's throat (no pun intended). I do however, believe in sharing with those who want to know. I want everyone to know exactly what they're putting in their bodies. Whatever decision they make after that is totally on them. I do believe there's power in knowing. Perhaps that's the very reason many people don't want to know the truth. It makes them responsible for the actions that follow. 


      


     The American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund released a study and found a link between processed meats and cancer.In fact, the World Cancer Research Fund says that "processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption."

Say What?- Horse Burgers

Unfortunately, it seems just about all meat in this country is processed. And now they wanna start serving up horse meat. Yes, I said horse meat.

                  

Obama recently signed a bill which allows for the slaughter of horses for food.

          But, as if that's not enough, the majority of seafood in this country is from other countries and they put all types of wrong in it. NBC reported on it: 

“Not to break your heart – I know you love seafood, but most of it – even though we eat a lot of it in this country – most of it doesn't even come from here,” Rossen said. “In fact 80 percent of fish and 90 percent of the shrimp actually come from overseas. This morning our ‘Today’ investigation has found some of your seafood may have toxic chemicals causing serious health issues. Sautéed, fried or fresh, we love seafood – appetizing for sure, until you see where some of it comes from. This video shot by a U.S. advocacy group shows dirty sewage water used to raise seafood in Vietnam. The fish pumped with toxic antibiotics and drugs just to keep them alive, boosting production and driving down costs.”

-Jeff Rossen, NBC News

                                           

Does this turn you off? Let me know, below.  

Fast Food is the Devil

There are several reasons I don't eat fast food, but there's one that takes the cake (pun intended). Aside from the fact that is has no nutritional value, makes me feel crappy, and causes gas and bloating, there's this:

     The video was part of research that really shed light on something. Just from the still shot you can see a difference. But wait, before I go further, let's just agree on a few things. The digestive system's function is to break down food into a form which can be used for energy. That's a fact. So when foods can't be broken down in the body, they simply pass along the digestive tract. Why does that matter? Well considering the fact that the purpose of eating is nutrition (energy, minerals, vitamins, etc.) there's nothing beneficial to eating something that's not going to be broken down an won't provide any.
    So yeah, I don't eat McDonald's, Wendy's, or Burger King and haven't for about two years now. But is this just a phase? I mean, we constantly hear that something is good for us, then we hear that it's not. Well let me assure you, there is NOTHING good about the processed crap that gets handed to us out of windows. Consider a piece of paper. You leave some paper in a container and a few years later, there's no difference. Okay, great for the paper. But would you eat that same piece of paper? Well of course not because who eats paper? I mean other than someone on TLC's My Strange Addiction..... Yet fast food eaters eat things that are not breaking down. They're not actually food. I mean, anything bugs won't eat, ain't for me.

Burgers & Fries....2 Years Later 

Photo: Blisstree




What about you? Do you love fast food? Leave a comment below. 

Just Pics...

While on vacation I spotted this in a restaurant....

Need food with flavor? Add some variety.

   They say variety is the spice of life (and don't ask me who "they" is) and its true. When it comes to healthy eating, I'm basically a snack attacker. I don't really prepare "normal" meals like say, eggs, toast and a piece of fruit. Since I'm often rushing out of the house I keep some breakfast at work or grab something from home as I leave. This week I've been having yogurt and a Naked Smoothie an hour or two later. Before my...."lady time" I tend to get pretty ravenous so i ve been eating yogurt, fruit and hummus. Oh how I love hummus. I eat it daily. Its low in calories if you watch your servings. I've also traded out my Ritz crackers for salt free rice cakes which taste just dandy (yes, I just said dandy) with the hummus. So I'm able to have multiple flavors and textures, be full, and eat only 300 calories! Its a total win!
    Often people think that eating healthy means you can't eat what you love. I believe eating healthy simple means eating what loves you back. Those things that are satisfying yet not artery clogging. We're blessed with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and there's lots of "less processed" food (like hummus and yogurt) to substitute your steak,egg, and cheese sandwhich.
   That's why its good to have a variety of healthy foods around. That way you have choices and it feels good knowing they're all good for you! So right now in my work fridge I've got a Naked smoothie (I may be addicted), flavored seltzer (I'm definitely addicted), romaine lettuce, two types of salad dressing, chicken, feta cheese, hummus, and my refillable water bottle. This gives me lunch options. So I can have hot chicken and Greek salad or add the chicken to my salad. I'm picking up an onion,pine nuts and black olives today. Salad only gets boring if you actually believe you can eat the same thing every single day.  I tried. I failed. I realized the importance of variety and now healthy eating is MUCH easier than before.

What are you doing to spice up your healthy eating?