If you’re looking for ways to lose weight, you’ve probably tried some fad diet, gone on a diet roller coaster, or followed the latest online gimmick. But while there’s no denying that some of these tools can be helpful in shedding those extra pounds, you’ll still end up failing to keep the weight off. Why? Because when diets fail you, you’re usually presented with the same unsatisfactory choice: you either go back to your old, dysfunctional habits or find a new way of living. And that’s a lot of pressure.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution to your weight problem, you might want to consider having a different type of breakfast every day.
Yes, eating just one type of food every day can help you to lose weight. But why not diversify your diet and try something new? If you’re not familiar, macrobiotic cooking is a form of Japanese dieting where you eat only what’s in season and organic. Essentially, you’re eating the food of the region you’re in, which usually means more fibrous vegetables and whole grains. For example, if you visit rural Japan, you might find yourself having a rolled-oat rice breakfast, steamed broccoli, and a brown rice roll with furikake (Japanese saffron). Sounds pretty satisfying, doesn’t it?
Now, having said that, you might still be wondering what dishes you should avoid and which you should indulge in. Here’s a quick guide, which will help you figure out what to eat and what to avoid when following a macrobiotic diet plan.
Things To Avoid
You should avoid eating too much sugar and white flour. These foods increase your risk of developing chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease. So while you might lose a pound or two in the first week of eating macrobiotically, you’ll end up paying for it in the long term. Instead, opt for fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limit your intake of refined sugar.
Another thing you should avoid is too much dairy. In most cases, milk and yogurt contain too much sugar to be considered healthy, despite their health benefits. In addition, many dairy products are manufactured using dangerous chemicals, like growth hormones from injected fodder.
What To Indulge In
Eating too much sugar and refined carbs simply gives you a quick energy spike followed by a crashing low. To avoid this, you need to eat foods that give you sustained energy. What better option than bacon, eggs, and sausage, which aside from being an indulgent meal, are also high in fiber and protein? Alternatively, you could have boiled eggs or omelets for a quick and easy breakfast. Another option is a cereal bar, which is high in fiber and micronutrients.
Not into meat-based breakfasts? How about toasted sandwiches, bagels, or buns with egg salad or tuna? All of these foods are light sources, which means they have a high water content, and fiber, which keeps you feeling fuller longer. These types of food offer you sustained energy with no sharp spikes, so you won’t feel like you’re going to crash after every meal.
Bonus Tips
If you want to lose weight and follow a healthy diet, here are a few tips that might be helpful.
Set a goal and track your progress. By setting a reasonable goal, like losing a pound a week, you’ll keep yourself motivated enough to continue eating healthy. In addition, you can use a food journal to track what you eat and how much you lose.
Don’t worry about what people might think about you if you decide to go on a diet. Instead, be true to yourself and set your own standards of beauty.
Avoid diets that contain a strict set of rules. They might seem alluring at first, but when you start breaking the rules, you’ll realize that you’re back to square one. Instead, find a diet that suits your personality and lifestyle.
And finally, if you want to eat healthy, you might want to consider preparing food yourself rather than going to restaurants that steam it or heat it up for you. Micromanaging the cooking process can help you to retain more nutrients, and it often means you’ll end up consuming fewer calories.
Now, it’s not always easy to follow a diet plan, especially when you’re not used to eating a specific way. That’s why it’s important to have a support system, like a spouse, family member, or best friend. They can help you to stay motivated and offer advice when you need it. In addition, you can use online tools like MyFitnessPal or Weight Watcher’s app to track what you eat and keep yourself motivated.