Welcome to our new Urban Family series by Sharon Raccah Perez, founder of 'PowerMeHealthy.' As an accredited Health Coach and healthy home food chef, Sharon will share advice based on her experiences and desire to help others see the importance of healthy living and eating.
I have been on some sort of diet my whole life and so now, years after becoming a health coach, the first question most people ask me is, “I am trying to go on a low-calorie diet. What do you think is the right thing to do?”
My polite, professional answer is always, “I personally don’t work with calories.” However, I feel if the person is open to real input, I love to tell them, “Forget calories, think nutrition.”
For example, take a cookie and an apple. Let’s say they both have the same amount of calories, the question is then, “How is each one actually nourishing me?”
A cookie (let’s say it’s a home-made cookie) has eggs, sugar, butter and flour. Apart from the eggs, there is absolutely nothing in there that really provides nutrients. You eat the cookie, and maybe it feels good and tastes delicious at that moment, but it doesn’t contain any nutritional value. Then, after the sugar high and sugar crash, you are left craving more.
An apple is a different story. It is filled with vitamins, minerals and nutrients. You take a bite and from the second it hits your stomach it starts working its way into your blood stream and cells to ensure you receive all of its goodness.
The same thought process works for broccoli, spinach, carrots and so many other fruits and vegetables, as well as plenty of whole foods available today. The point is, so many of these foods nurture our bodies in so many different ways, that there is much more to it than a calorie.
So, when you look at what you are eating, start looking at nutrients not calories, because it’s much harder to eat five apples, than it is to eat five cookies.
Sharon's Quick Tip:
Replace cookies and snacks low in nutritional value with a range of easy on-the-go items such as nuts, seeds, dates or even carrot and celery sticks. A banana is another easy item to always have in your bag, or try making these energy balls for a ‘pick-me-up’ during the day. Click here for the recipe of Coach Sharon's Ferrero Roche Energy Balls.
To follow Sharon, visit her website or scan her QR code below.
