Your kitchen might be under the cruel reign of the food industry. When you remove the sugary, processed foods that hold your weight and health hostage and replace them with real, whole foods, you have a chance to stage a revolution and reclaim your kitchen.
Getting the obstacles to weight loss and health out of your way will transform your kitchen into a place of true nourishment and healing.
In fact, taking back our kitchens and embracing the act of cooking real food is probably the single most important thing that any one person can do to create a healthy, sustainable food system. It is also a magical alchemy that transforms individual ingredients into ambrosia and pleasure.
My philosophy is to "eat real food." So the best thing to do immediately is to take an afternoon to hunt and gather in your kitchen. Be merciless and throw out any products that are not real food. Toss all highly-processed, factory-manufactured Frankenfoods. Keep and, going forward, choose only fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and lean animal proteins such as fish, chicken, and eggs.
Now, I understand that not everyone is ready for or wishes to undertake such a dramatic change. That doesn't mean you need to take an either-or approach and succumb to the processed, sugary foods that contribute to diabesity.
A few simple upgrades can transform your diet without radically altering your life. While simple, these seven replacements can create dramatic changes in your diet that don't feel restrictive or "diet-ish."
- Replace breakfast with a protein smoothie. Most people start the day wrong, having dessert for breakfast or skipping this most important meal altogether. A protein shake makes an easy replacement to stoke your metabolic fire to burn more calories during the whole day, accelerating weight loss. You can load a shake with superfoods, proteins, healthy fats, and phytonutrients that will keep your blood sugar balanced and your energy high throughout the day. Plus, they are very filling and satisfying -- no worries here about going hungry. Protein shakes sustain you and help you control your appetite throughout the day. Grab some of my favorite shake recipes here.
What simple but effective replacement would you add to this list? Share yours below or on my Facebook fan page.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Mark Hyman, M.D.
Would you like to reclaim your kitchen with over 150 delicious, non-processed, whole-foods recipes that are so delectable, you will never feel restricted or deprived? Order The 10-Day Detox Diet Cookbook today. Download your 10-Day Detox Diet Starter Kit and get cooking!
Mark Hyman, M.D. believes that we all deserve a life of vitality -- and that we have the potential to create it for ourselves. That's why he is dedicated to tackling the root causes of chronic disease by harnessing the power of Functional Medicine to transform healthcare. He is a practicing family physician, an eight-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in his field. He is the Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. He is also the founder and medical director of The UltraWellness Center, chairman of the board of the Institute for Functional Medicine, a medical editor of The Huffington Post, and has been a regular medical contributor on many television shows including CBS This Morning, the Today Show, CNN, The View, the Katie Couric show and The Dr. Oz Show.