Why the healthy foods you’re eating are a waste of time

September 13, 2016 Ashley 0 Comments

You are eating healthier.

So… what do I mean by “it’s not good enough”?

Am I insane?

I mean, you’re polishing off potatoes. You’re feasting on fruit. So what if those tots are lathered in fat from the fryer? So what if your peaches come from a cup full of thick syrup on a shelf – versus the produce aisle? And forget about the dressings or belt busting toppings on that salad you just had. After all, you’re accustomed to dining on greasy bun hugged bovine patties. So, especially when you’d rather be eating cow parts and chemical infused confections, I should really STFU. ’cause you’re not in the mood to hear me telling you that your genuine attempts at healthy eating aren’t good enough.

So I won’t.

I’ll say that it is good enough. It’s great, actually.

For right now.

But I’ll also say, that – if, and only if you want that weight-loss trophy so many of us are after when we make our way down this path – you may need to up your game a bit in the future. And why? Well, because – healthy as those eats may seem – some of the methods to make ’em savory are actually making them just about as bad as the junk and fast food you used to make a staple. See, when you desecrate your tubers with tubs of butter or fry ’em up or smother them in cheese and piglet bits – you’re adding gads of calories and fat to it. (And we all know you can’t outwork a bad diet at the gym.) Likewise, many prepackaged dried fruits are suffocated with sugar before making their way to your face hole. (Bad – because this raises blood sugar levels, increasing cravings, and making you store fat.) And what about beans? Sure, these badboys are an epic protein and fiber source for anyone following a plant-based diet… But buying them canned isn’t exactly optimal. Sure, you’ll gain weight in water (thanks to the copious sodium most canned foods have), but that’s not the biggest problem. That can be flushed out. The real weight gain comes from the fact that when things are overly seasoned, our tongues tend to crave more of them – past the point of hunger. Worse than an incurable hankering for savory stuff, though, is what excessive sodium does to your blood pressure. And calling any of this “counterproductive” would be a laughable understatement. I can hide a piece of kale in a vat of mayonnaise. But I’m pretty sure it’s still the opposite of a healthy dish. Just like those sugar infused sweet potato casseroles that should probably be reserved for only once each Fall – sitting peripheral to some poor dead bird.


(Fortunately, this’sn’t true; enjoy your junk in moderation.
But recognize it’s junk – not superfood just ’cause it has the word “potato” in it.)

And what’s the fix?

Well, for one, we can all buy our produce fresh, whole, and not off-the-shelf. Too expensive? Hit a farmer’s market – or buy in bulk. ’cause the only packages that should be on your fruit are those rubbery, fibrous, floppy nature made yellow ones that you peel from your banana – or the slightly porous bitter one on your orange. Also, if you like your veggies hot instead of raw, sauté them lightly or steam them instead of boiling the hell out of them like you’re exorcising a demon with heat. (While that wasn’t necessarily mentioned above – overcooking your food also kicks out a lotta the nutrients that make them so great in the first place. So don’t overdo it on the high temps.) Also: avoid the butter. And if you can’t – at least go easy on the stuff. And as for the beans? This one’s really simple. I just dump a bunch in my rice cooker, add some water, go abstemious on the seasoning (but add a little, if I like; I’m not a masochist, cooking in a wool sweater while whipping myself, despite popular assumption), pop it on, head out for a run, and Tupperware up that shiz once I get back. It’s a great way to cook while I burn my calories – without burning my house down.


(“If you just remained in the kitchen where you belong, you wouldn’t have to worry about that!”)

Plus, I can minimize my time actually cooking – which I admittedly hate.

All this said, please don’t let this overwhelm or deter you. I get that this newfound health kick’s a bit bewildering. You’re in foreign territory. Here you thought you were doing great, and my shade throwing arse comes and tells you to level up. So, again, I’ll tell you you’re doing great. You’re doing great because you’re here, wondering how you can do even better. (And continual improvement’s where it’s at.) So, if you’re getting frustrated at the thought of having to forgo more of your gastronomical delights, don’t. No one is making you do anything. The only thing I would encourage you to consider, is the fact that if you stumbled upon this article, a part of you was probably at least curious about how you could improve the great choices you’ve already made by beginning any fitness path at all. And now that you have, maybe you’ll inch forward – when you’re ready. And maybe you won’t.

Either way, it’s no skin off my cheese, sour cream, and bacon free potato that’s kept me fit AF.

#cooking#fruit#healthy food#unhealthy food#vegetables

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