Welcome to the Wellness Without Stress community! I’m Hannah Shanks, and I’m thrilled to share Episode 2 of the podcast, "It Starts with Food," in a new format—right here on the blog. As busy as life gets, from managing motherhood to balancing work, I realized many of you enjoy audio content without the added video. So, let’s dive into making healthier choices, simply and stress-free!
The Foundation of Wellness
Every journey to health begins with a single step, and in this community, it starts with one of the most fundamental elements: the food we consume. My goal is to guide you with small, manageable steps that enhance wellness without adding to your stress. We often hear that you can't out-exercise a bad diet, which is true. Our food choices are the building blocks of our health.
Understanding "Clean Eating"
Lately, there has been much talk around terms like "eat clean" or "eat real food." While these may come across as trendy buzzwords, they are also critical in differentiating what treats our bodies well from what doesn’t. The key to beginning is understanding how to avoid ultra-processed foods, which are often those that you couldn’t replicate in your home kitchen. These are everywhere—from store shelves to restaurants—and contribute significantly to chronic health issues and metabolic dysfunction.
Tips for Simplified Clean Eating
- Avoid Ultra-Processed Foods: Ask yourself, could I recreate this in my kitchen? If the answer is no, it’s likely ultra-processed. Stick to natural, whole foods as much as possible for better health.
- Identify and Avoid Big Offenders: Watch out for added sugars and synthetic ingredients like artificial dyes and preservatives. These are common in foods marketed to children but should be avoided for overall wellness.
- Shop the Perimeter: At grocery stores, quality meats, fresh produce, and dairy are usually found on the outer edges. Make these areas your main focus, and you’ll naturally dodge much of the processed-food temptation.
- Keep Meals Simple: Avoid expecting your meals to entertain you. Focus on fueling your body with quality protein, healthy fats, vegetables, and fruits. Remember, simple doesn’t have to mean boring or tasteless, but rather nourishing.
- Batch Cooking and Preparation: Spend some time on weekends to prep your meals. Cooking proteins in batches can make weekday meals quick and less daunting, encouraging you to stick with your healthy eating plan.
Breaking Free from Emotional Eating
Our relationship with food can be complex, tangled with emotions and societal pressures. It's important to note that while we feed our bodies, fueling our health should take precedence over emotional comfort through food. Through this realization, you can break free from snacking and unnecessary processed food consumption, allowing room for more mindful eating practices.
Journey Together
Balancing nutrition doesn’t have to be stressful. Taking small steps can lead to significant health improvements over time. I’m here, navigating this journey with you as I, too, re-evaluate my health priorities and choices.
In our next discussions, we’ll delve into the emotional aspects of wellness. For now, remember that wellness begins with the first bite—each choice contributes to your overall health picture.
I hope you find these insights helpful and empowering as you continue—or even begin—your journey without stress. Subscribe to our podcast, leave your feedback, and share your own health journey stories. You can connect with me on Instagram and Facebook at @HannahBShanks for more updates and community support.
Until next time, keep it simple, stay consistent, and pursue wellness without stress!
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