Newly married, I weighed 162 pounds. Not particularly happy with my weight, I was strong and could cycle wherever I wanted. Chronic knee pain from severe arthritis side-lined me from time to time, but I could live with it.
Fast forward five or ten years. Everything changed for me.
I learned about the power of plant-based foods to transform my body.
Our world moves at a hectic pace.
It’s easy to slip into survival mode. Getting by day-to-day without truly feeling alive or fulfilled. Not taking care of ourselves, we’re tired, over-scheduled, and unhappy.
We worry about the toll our lifestyles will have on our health.
What if we can stop weathering the storms and start dancing in the rain? What if we could shift from merely surviving to truly THRIVING?
A key step in this journey is understanding and improving our health. It starts with something as routine as our blood test numbers.
Switching from beef to chicken with the hope of lowering cholesterol levels is a myth that needs dispelling. Contrary to popular belief, a 2019 study found that both chicken and beef equally raise cholesterol levels, showing that substituting beef with chicken does not bring the anticipated benefits for cholesterol management. It highlights the misconception that chicken is not meat or somehow healthier in terms of cholesterol impact, shedding light on the fact that all meat, regardless of its source, is problematic due to compounds like carnitine and choline which promote inflammation and can exacerbate cholesterol and heart health issues.
Fiber plays a crucial role in combating high cholesterol, yet neither chicken nor beef contains fiber, which acts like a sponge to soak up and eliminate cholesterol from the body. The high fat content in meat, combined with the absence of fiber, underscores the futility of choosing leaner meats as a solution for cholesterol management. The complexity in determining the fat content in meat based on various factors renders the effort nearly impossible, drawing attention to the need for alternative dietary choices.
Emphasizing plant-based proteins such as beans, lentils, whole grains, and vegetables presents a viable solution for those aiming to lower their cholesterol levels. These food items are not only rich in fiber and low in fat but also provide a clean, cholesterol-lowering protein alternative to meat. Adopting a plant-focused diet could significantly improve cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and blood pressure, offering a healthier lifestyle choice free from the unwanted side effects associated with other cholesterol management strategies like statin use.
Read more...Incorporating a strength training routine into your exercise regimen offers substantial benefits that go beyond traditional cardiovascular workouts. While cardio exercises like walking and cycling are often associated with weight loss, strength training is more effective for shedding pounds, especially as one ages. This is because strength training not only builds muscle mass but also boosts calorie burning even when you're at rest, ensuring a more sustained weight loss process.
Read more..."What's the best breakfast?" people often ask me. Expecting that I might say eggs or whole wheat toast, I say this, "Oatmeal. It's not just for breakfast anymore."
According to Quaker Oats, the average American eats 15 bowls of oatmeal each year. Quaker man might think that’s ok, but I think that it’s awful! When I consider oatmeal’s potential for lowering body weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, I get on my soap box and scream.
I might shout, “Oatmeal is high in fiber and essential nutrients! It has impressive health benefits! Oatmeal deserves its place, not only in your morning routine, but at any time during the day!”
That's right. Any time of day.
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