Crowding Out

One thing I have been taught while studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition: how to crowd out. Let me explain...How many times have you tried to diet? How many times have you failed? Do you think it could be because you eliminated nearly everything you enjoy from your diet? You can't take everything you enjoy away, you'll be miserable. But if your diet consists of mostly processed sugary junk..you can learn how to "crowd out" You just need to add healthy items to your daily diet and slowly crowd out the unhealthy. it doesnt have to be drastic, unless you feel like you would do better with a drastic change. But I recommend keeping a few things that you really like. You can treat yourself once a week or so with these items and it will help you stay focused and on track. So, I have had to crowd out too. I started extremely slow and now have realized that it was time to be drastic. these are some things that have always been in my cabinets: marshmallows, poptarts, pudding, cheezits, goldfish, fruit cups, instant oatmeal, and fruit snacks. My toddlers used to drink apple juice most of the day. I have replaced these items with this: grapes, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries, bananas, apples, organic yogurt, granola, dried berries,  Annie's homegrown cheese bunnies(found at Target) also found graham cracker type bunnies made by Annie's. I have also replaced my kids apple juice with organic flavored teas and sweeten them with either honey or agave nectar. I stopped buying capri suns for my 7 year old. Now, you may think this is harsh on my kids that I am keeping them from enjoying anything. But I am not going to keep them from enjoying certain things. Yes, we will make a batch of brownies every now and then and yes, we will have birthday cake. I will let them have whatever is given out at church. I will not let my child sit and watch other kids get treats. I think that is wrong. But I am trying to replace the bad with good. I know its hard to do this when you are on a tight budget, but as soon as you stop spending money on the processed junk, you will be able to afford the good stuff. you just have to budget and watch for sales. If you really want to do it, you can. I promise.
If you would like to schedule a practice health history consultation to help me out with school, please email me at leahsox@gmail.com I will email you the information for you to fill out and email back and then we'll have a phone conversation that should last about 45 minutes. I can start seeing clients very soon... getting excited!!