Eat Your Way Right Habit 8: Avoid Reading Food Labels

Ok, I guess that is more the result of Habit 8 than the actual habit itself, but still, it is a big time saver!

In my article on Nutrition Labels (click here to read) we deciphered a label section by section and gave some guidelines as far as what we should be looking for when we are choosing what we are going to eat.

But what if we could avoid all that nightmare altogether and eat tasty and healthy foods all at the same time?

That is where Habit 8 comes into play.

EYWR Habit 8: Eat Mostly 1-Ingredient Foods

You see 1-ingredient foods don’t need a label. Another term you could use to describe them is whole foods.

Take a look at the shopping lists from ThePPWKitchen.com

PPW Kitchen Shopping List 1

PPW Kitchen Shopping List 2

What did you notice?

That’s right. These are lists of almost all 1-ingredient foods.

You may also have noticed that most of these are fresh foods. If they are not refrigerated, frozen or eaten within a few days they will spoil.

Those are the nutritious, nutrient packed, and yes, tasty foods you want to fuel your body with.

When you eat Whole Foods – 1 Ingredient foods, you are avoiding a lot of the nasty stuff you just shouldn’t be putting in your gut.

• Added sugars
• Added sodium
• Preservatives
• Artificial sweeteners
• Food dyes
• Chemicals

and who knows what else!

When you start with whole foods YOU are in control. You get to decide what spices, and herbs or garnishes you add. You don’t have to worry about what’s “in there” except what you choose to add.

And no, eating 1-ingredient foods does not have to be boring.

Because you can still combine 1-ingredient foods into a delicious meal. In fact you can get pretty fancy using all 1-ingredient foods. For instance this Beef Fajita recipe from Coach Nancy is super easy to make and uses all 1-ingredient foods (unless you top with salsa):

Beef Fajitas

• 1 ½ pound beef flank steak, cut into 6 even portions
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 large green pepper, cut into ½ pieces
• 2 Tablespoon jalapeno peppers, can used canned
• 1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 14 ounce can stewed tomatoes, do not drain
• Shredded cheddar cheese optional
• Salsa, optional

Combine steak, onion, pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, garlic, chili powder, and coriander in slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes.

Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high 4-5. Using a slotted spoon, place on a bed of lettuce and sprinkle with cheese and salsa, if desired.

We are in the home stretch with Eat Your Way Right Through The Holidays 2013, and I am proud of all of you who are taking steps, some small, some bigger, to reach your health and fitness goals and make 2014 your best year ever!

Make It Happen!

Coach Dean