Do you want to make the switch to a whole food and clean eating lifestyle and STICK WITH IT for good? This series is for you.
This is Part Two in the How to Become a Whole Food for Life series.
Keep an eye for Part Three next Tuesday.
Part Two: Slowly Replace Foods in the Fridge and Pantry
Do you get so excited about something that it makes you want to act right now? I get like that. I get an idea in my head and I have to act on it right. freakin. now. I don’t have a lot of patience when it comes to ideas, and my enthusiasm makes me act instantly.
When I found out I had to go gluten free, I went through the whole panty straight away and made a huge pile of food to giveaway.
While this was a bit different because I couldn’t keep eating gluten or I would stay sick, when it comes to a choice you’re making, I recommend not following my lead and taking it slow. That is unless you have found out you have a food allergy or intolerance too.
For example, use up all of your flour and then switch to wholemeal flour. Use up all of your cocoa and then switch to cacao. Use all of your sugar before switching to coconut sugar or maple syrup. Enjoy that last packet of chips in the pantry, because hopefully it’s the last you ever eat!
This might go against every diet book ever, but this isn’t a diet, and I think it is helpful for maintaining enthusiasm over the long term.
Why Take it Slow?
1. Your saving money by using up the stuff you have in your pantry now. No one likes wasting food or money, so use it up or give it to a homeless shelter or family and friends who will use it.
2. This gives you a chance to slowly buy the more expensive whole food ingredients. Yes, good quality organic food does cost more so build up the pantry staples slowly.
3. It allows you to slowly wet your feet by trying different recipes and ingredients without putting a lot of pressure on yourself to be perfect straight away. Try one or two healthy recipes a week and get a feel for what types of health foods and ingredients you like.
4. You get to enjoy those junk foods in your cupboard one last time. You might even find you can’t even bring yourself to eat them, now that you know the truth about what they are doing to your body.
It takes time to learn about new ingredients, recipes, ideas, approaches. So give yourself the time and freedom to test and explore, without all the pressure.
Most importantly: Have fun with it!