Finding Your True Love Foods

If you are anything like me, you probably already know from personal experience that to find true love, you have to learn from a couple less-than-the-best relationships along the way. It’s really no different with food. Trust me, you don’t want to learn the hard way that building your diet around some foods could leave you feeling the same way that commitment-phobic boyfriend did. So I’ve compiled a list of five types of relationships you may have experienced before and how they relate to the foods you may be eating today.

• The Commitment-Phobe: You know that person you dated thinking the relationship would last forever, but then they bolted when anything about commitment came up? Well, foods that are high in added sugars and low in fiber are like this too. They make you feel really good at first, but then they don’t commit- and you soon find yourself hungry again. The offenders are things like candy, cookies, and other snack foods. While it’s ok to flirt with these foods occasionally, develop a lasting snack relationship with foods that have staying power such as low-fat yogurt, nuts, veggies and hummus, or low-fat cheese. 
• The Bad Boy: He may seem exciting and look cute at first, but when you really get to know him, you may find yourself regretting you ever knew him at all. Packaged snacks and fast food can be like this if eaten frequently. You drive by or see them in the grocery store and they look so good, but a closer look at the nutrition facts panel shows what’s really inside-  is more calories, fat and sodium than you need and a lack of needed nutrients like calcium, potassium, vitamins, and fiber. Sometimes the Bad Boy is just what you need and want and that’s okay, you just don’t want him to hang around all the time!
• The Love-You-and-Leave-You Type:  In this relationship, you are the center of the other person’s world, but then they do something to hurt you and leave you to pick up the pieces. Fried or greasy foods in large amounts may also leave you not feeling so well, often leading to indigestion. Instead, opt for a meal that will love you for the long-term like a piece of grilled fish, steamed veggies and whole grain brown rice with a glass of milk.
• The Cheater: Our least favorite of all, this relationship involves someone who lives to lie and deceive us. Sadly enough, there are foods like that too. Protein shakes, weight loss bars, and other “specialty foods” promising to build muscle or help us lose weight, but really contain untested ingredients and high amounts of fat or calories. Want foods that will help sculpt lean muscle and help you lose weight? Stick to “tell-it-like-it-is” foods, like those listed in the “True Love” section below.
• True Love: Once you find your true love, you stick with him because he commits to you, he’s good both inside and out, he loves you for the long-term, and he’s always honest and faithful. Well, nutrient-rich foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy foods will treat you like that too. They have staying power and won’t leave you hungry or tired; they taste good and are also full of important nutrients. These true love foods will leave you feeling good, help you build a healthy body long into the future, and they are honest about the good nutrition they provide.