Don’t buy into false diet claims
We are firm believers in eating first and foremost for health and longevity. It seems like everywhere you turn there is a diet gimmick being pushed on you. Whether its to eliminate carbs, intermittent fast, carb cycle, try keto, do a cleanse, you name it, all promise easy weight loss and the “body of your dreams”. Many, us included, have fallen into the false promises these diets provide and give them a try. We aren’t going to lie to you, many will provide quick success. Any time you eliminate an entire food group, or get really restrictive you are likely to shed pounds.
However, oftentimes these diets, or ways of eating, are not sustainable long term. They leave us feeling more hungry, less fulfilled, nutrient depleted, too restricted, and take out the joy in eating
At Sculpt Daily, our approach to food is health first. We believe, that if you fuel your body well, and eat balanced, you will reap the mental, performance, health and aesthetic benefits as well.
You are what you eat
The popular saying tells us, “you are what you eat”. We truly believe this. The way we feel, the way our genes express themselves, the diseases we do or don’t get, the way our hormones behave and the way our metabolism functions is all driven by the nutrients (or lack thereof), that we provide our body each day.
We need to carefully evaluate if our “goal body or weight” is actually where we are most healthy. Weighing less, and being leaner does not always lead to being healthier. There are plenty of people who’s bodies appear healthy on the outside, but deal with many different ailments. For example, as women, we reach a certain point of leanness where our hormones can’t function well and our bone mass suffers. Society may tell us that it’s ok, but long term we can do more harm than good by chasing certain aesthetic goals.
Choose a wide range of fresh foods
When eating for health and longevity, we recommend getting a wide range of nutrients on your plate at each meal. This includes lots of veggies, healthy fats, natural organic proteins, grass fed meat, wild caught fish, and complex carbohydrates.
Avoiding short cuts that may help you shed pounds will likely compromise your health. Think diet drinks, fake sugars, non-fat processed foods, processed protein bars ect, unhealthy fats. If you eat mostly foods that are fresh and not processed, and eat a wide variety, your body will thank you and you will be setting yourself up to achieve your goals.
Try this Chicken, Orange and Walnut Salad Recipe
A great example of a well rounded meal that gives you a wide range of nutrients is this Chicken, Orange and Walnut Salad Recipe. The chicken provides a healthy dose of protein, the lettuce greens provide a generous helping of veggies, the pomegranate seeds and oranges provide carbohydrates and the walnuts and olive oil are healthy sources of fat. In addition each of these foods are full of many different vitamins and minerals to help your body function more optimally as well.
Try it out and see how you feel. When you focus on fueling your body well, and put health on the forefront of your thinking, your other goals will follow. You will also feel better too. That’s what we are all about! Being healthy so we can live fully!
Live Fully,
Deanna and Joy
Eating for health and longevity
Course: Lunch, Dinner, Side dish2
servingsIngredients
- For the salad
1 large orange
8 oz chicken breast
4 handfuls rocket
1/3 pomegranate fruit, seeds
¼ cup walnuts, roasted
- For the dressing
2 tbsp. orange juice
3 tbsp. of honey
2 tbsp. mustard
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/3 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. lemon juice
Directions
- Peel orange and, cut out the pulp and set aside. Squeeze the juice from the rest of the orange and keep it for the sauce
- Mix the ingredients of the dressing in a cup, season with salt and pepper
- Cut the chicken breast into 4 smaller pieces, season with salt, coat with olive oil and place on a hot grill pan — grill for 4 minutes on both sides.
- Drizzle the chicken pieces with a tbsp. of dressing and continue to grill for about 1.5 minutes on a slightly lower heat, turn over, drizzle with another tbsp. of dressing and grill for another minute, then remove from the pan and set aside. Once cooled slightly slice into pieces
- Mix the salad leaves and divide it between two plates, then top with the orange and chicken. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds and roasted walnuts. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and serve