With Thanksgiving Day fast approaching, and the holidays just around the corner, Paula Curtiss, Founding
Director for Healing Hands School of Holistic Health challenged her Faculty to suggest a list of their favorite holistic health practices for keeping belly fat at bay. “In an effort to help our students ward off the extra pounds often packed on during the Holiday season, our Faculty submitted a long list of easy to implement lifestyle changes”, said Paula Curtiss. “These five fabulous strategies were chosen for their effectiveness in helping manage your weight while enhancing your health and well-being in the process”, she added.
Fat Fighting Tip #1 – Eat More Protein:
While carbohydrates usually take only 2 hours to digest, Protein takes longer, a total of 4 hours on average, helping you to feel full longer. Avoid proteins with saturated fats, which boost cholesterol, by choosing protein with unsaturated fats such as walnuts, legumes,
Fat Fighting Tip #2 – Eat a Nutritious Breakfast:
High stress levels increase food cravings and cortisol levels which negatively impact the body by storing belly fat. In addition, deficiencies of important nutrients such as Calcium, B vitamins, vitamin C and Magnesium can also raise Cortisol levels and negatively impact mood. To fight back, start your day with nutritious foods that are high in these nutrients. Consider a handful of blackberries (high in Vitamin C) mixed into 6 ounces of your favorite Greek yogurt which has twice the protein of regular yogurt and provides an ample supply of the stress-busters Calcium and Magnesium.
Fat Fighting Tip #3 – Eliminate refined-flour and sugary food products:
The average American eats about twice as many simple carbohydrate foods (muffins, cakes, breads, and pastas) as they should. These foods are considered the biggest source of empty calories consumed and the reason so many Americans remain over-weight. Simple carbohydrates will give you a huge sugar spike followed by a sugar crash and unhealthy food cravings. To avoid these sugar spikes and resulting cravings, opt for smaller portions of complex carbohydrates (brown rice, whole grain breads, etc.) and combine them with a lean protein source to stabilize blood sugar.
Fat Fighting Tip #4 – Get the sleep your body needs:
Recent research supports the fact that most adults require 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to bring their body into balance. In one study, Individuals who failed to get the minimum 7 hours experienced a substantial increase (23%) in their appetite for sweet and salty foods. Sweet and salty foods, as we know, can negatively impact mood and drive both blood pressure and blood sugar levels up, wreaking havoc in many systems of the body.
Fat Fighting Tip #5 – Eat high-volume foods:
Nobody likes feeling hungry. Choosing low calorie foods that are high in nutrients, fiber and water, can help anyone to feel full longer, decreasing the amount of food/calories they consume daily. Also, nutrient dense foods such as fruits and green leafy vegetables can help you lose weight while supplying your body with ample amounts of energy so you may enjoy an active lifestyle.
At Healing Hands School of Holistic Health, students can learn all about Nutritional Superfoods. Healthy Dietary Practices and many other holistic health practices for optimal health. For more information about Healing Hands School or the 80+ Massage and Holistic Health courses offered, please visit us online at www.HealingHandsSchool.com or call us at (949) 305-2722 in Laguna Hills or (760) 746-9364 in Escondido.