#meatandnuts

Happy Monday morning everybody! Lets talk about breakfast, shall we?

Almost all of my clients are asked to switch to eating the Poliquin Meat and Nut Breakfast soon after beginning their training programs. (The benefits from making such a change are included in the attached blog).

If eating this first thing sounds weird, don't feel bad. Most people find it foreign, being such an "untraditional" method of eating.  However, soon after beginning this habit they find that it's not so bad and often enough they begin to look forward to eating bison and cashews in the AM.

There is the odd "nut" who loves to eat meat and nuts, so the switch is much less dramatic for them.

What about those people who do not enjoy meat and nuts, no matter what you add or take away? Also, we have to consider those of us who observe lent and have to abstain from certain foods.

For those people, there are always changes that can be made. Furthermore, for someone who CAN consume meat and nuts, but just isn't ready for it, options are still available.

Here are some things you can do if you are someone who eats cereal every morning and you know you should change but need something more gradual:

If you are using skim milk, switch to high fat organic milk.

 If you can, switch to slow cooking oatmeal and add some nuts to it.

If you are already eating oatmeal, decrease the serving size and add protein powder (whey or rice will work).

If you eat eggs, bacon and toast, go ahead and take away the bread, but allow yourself more tasty bacon.

If you want to keep the bread in there, try switching to gluten free, high fibre bread.

If you are ready to go grainless, you can try some nuts and berries (great during lent).

If you have no time to eat, a green smoothie is great. Just make sure to keep it mainly green and add some protein and only one serving of fruit (berries are best).

Even if you crave meat but don't want the nuts, you can try using veggies or berries in its place!

Did I forget to mention fish? You can always replace the red meat with salmon, sardines or shrimp.

One of my clients came in recently and told me that they were kind of sick of eating only meat and nuts every morning. Then they told me that they wish they could eat Fruit Loops instead. 

After giving it some thought I said "It's interesting how people get sick of eating a protein breakfast, even though they can rotate what protein they eat, and they tell me they want change....but then everybody loves their Special K in the morning and never seems to get sick of eating that ALL the time...." 

I don't think its a matter of eating the same thing, but more a matter of our mindset and addictions. We are addicted to the cereals and we love what we can't have.

How do you solve this? Well, short of having your brain rewired or visiting a hypnotist, you must fight these urges and be smart when shopping for food. Don't shop when you are hungry, stay outside the isles and don't keep junk in your house. 

If someone says they are tired of eating the way we recommend (we do recommend variety by the way), they are simply telling me that they are tired of living a healthy lifestyle.  

You must decide which path you want to take. It does take more work and some more planning, but if it does not feel better in the end, thats fine. However, make sure you don't blame a lack of variety or change. Enjoy your Fruit Loops. Just make sure you are prepared to enjoy any suffering it might bring.

Good Luck in your quest for health and fitness.

I know you will make the right decision!