Eating Clean and Lean for 2013

As most of you know I am a Type II Diabetic.  I love cooking with fresh ingredients as much as I can.   For 2013, I will need to make some serious changes to how I eat and must lose weight in order to really get my diabetes manage and under control. 

Now for 2013, I have set a goal for myself to lose weight and take better care of myself so that I will be around for my daughters and wonderful grandson.  So what is my plan for “Eating Clean and Lean for 2013”?

No one can pinpoint the one thing that causes weight gain, for most people, a variety of factors are to blame, including genetics, family history, eating and exercise habits, lifestyle choices that influence everything from how much sleep we get to how stressed we feel.  Fortunately, diet is one of the factors that I can control.  In addition, there is great debate about the best dietary changes to make.

Should I eat less fat?  Eat fewer Calories?  Or simply eat less food?  I have come to the conclusion that any approach I take would be better than doing nothing.

Eating clean and lean for me is - choosing to prepare balance meals that will include the changes below.

1.     Eat more whole grains

2.     Eat more vegetables and fruits

3.     Focus on lean proteins and healthy fats

4.     Cut back on Sugar

5.     Eat reasonable portion sizes

6.     Cut down on processed foods

7.     Drink more water

The biggest item for me is “processed /prepared food products” with loads of ingredients, that will not allow me to control add sugars, salts, trans and saturated fats.

Also, most important along with eating clean and lean is exercise.  My goal is to start with at least  30 – 45 minutes a day of some kind of exercise activity.

CW’ Cafe Today – Cooking From the Pantry – Lean and Clean for 2013