So some of you may be wondering, how is it possible to eat and enjoy so much good food while maintaining a healthy lifestyle? I asked myself this question time and time again since Cucina Al Dente was founded. I became much more aware of what I was eating and why, and I noticed that my body had different reactions to different foods that I would consume. Pasta and pizza (i.e. carbs) filled me up quickly and often times would bloat me. Light and lean proteins like shrimp, tilapia, and chicken satisfied me for a longer period of time. Tomatoes gave me acid reflux, and chocolate a boost of energy!
Being aware of the way that food affects your overall health ultimately is the definition of living a healthy life.
Making informed choices about the food that we choose to buy, make, and consume not only affects our physical health and well-being, but also has implications in regard to production, sustainability, and trade. One of my favorite places to be is my local HEB grocery store. I love the market strategy of HEB because they capture the essence of what a grocery store should be. Every fruit, vegetable, or piece of meat that I get from HEB, I know its origin and I can also be assured of its quality. Similarly, HEB advocates for local Texan products through their HEB brand. My favorite chips on the shelves are the HEB jalapeño kettle cooked chips.
Just recently I came to the conclusion that healthy eating doesn't mean dieting and restricting yourself of good, clean, and fair food. I have gone through phases in my life that I used those fad diets--but I was ultimately left unhappy and with a sense of guilt after eating a cookie once the diet was over. So what is the key to being healthy? While I don't have the answer, I can offer a few suggestions that will lead to a happier and healthier outlook on eating.
Portions truly do make the difference! My Nonna used to tell me "Giovanna non mangi fino al punto che ti senti male, ma mangia al punto prima di essere piena e nel punto che hai un po' di fame" (Giovanna don't eat to the point that you feel full and sick, but just before that point were you still have room for a little bit more). With this in mind, you can eat anything that your heart desires! It's ok, in fact its healthy, to consume sugars, but in excess of course they affect your health.
Align your desire to eat with what your body truly needs. Be aware of how your body reacts to certain foods. Every body is different and there is no straight forward solution to living a healthy life. But, when you are aware of your own body and the effects that certain foods have on your metabolism, you will begin to make smarter choices for your health. One step in managing this is looking at what ingredients are in the dish you are consuming. If you know that greasy foods give you heartburn, perhaps stay away from those french fries and ask yourself "Do I want to feel sick for just a small moment of satisfaction?"
ENJOY. LIVE TO EAT. SHARE. Finally, be happy while you eat. Be aware of where your ingredients are coming from. Thank those who prepared your meal or acquired the ingredients for you to make your dish. Share with friends and family in this joy. Eat slowly and truly enjoy nourishing your body. You can't live without food, so you might as well enjoy the process!
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