First thing is first – Congrats to Katrina for winning the Blogiversary Giveaway ! I’ll be in touch soon to set up your magazine subscriptions.
Thank you to everyone who entered. I enjoyed reading all of your comments and learning what healthy habits you would like to work on during the upcoming year.
I can’t believe it. Today is the day that I finish my FINAL Shabbott’s Habits : Processed Foods Outta Here!!!
It has taken me just over a year (369 days), but in total, I have worked to form 13 healthy habits, and I’ve chronicled all of my healthy living adventures on this blog.
I seriously can’t believe that this project is complete.
Be sure to check out the summaries of past accomplishments if you haven’t had a chance to yet.
My focus on “Processed Foods Outta Here” was definitely the most difficult healthy initiative to date, which is why I left it for last.
During “Processed Foods Outta Here,” I had a 28-day goal to:
source
Why 28 days?
“They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. I say give yourself 28 to make sure that it really sets in.”
Why eliminate processed convenience foods?
Like I’ve mentioned in my previous post about convenience foods:
- Convenience foods are often loaded with trans or “hydrogenated” fats. Trans fats are artificially altered fats that are considered dangerous by many health professionals. Some health professionals even go as far as to equate trans fats to plastic.
- Convenience foods often contain high fructose corn syrup. Yes, corn syrup is a form of sugar (you’ve seen the latest commercials). But we have to keep in mind that corn syrup has been processed differently than normal table sugar. Therefore, the jury is still out on on how our bodies react to high fructose corn syrup.
- Some convenience foods contain MSG (monosodium glutamate). This substance is often added to food to increase flavor, but it has also been linked to headaches and weight gain, and problems with insulin secretion.
- Convenience foods contain artificial food dyes and preservatives (there’s a reason that they can sit on the shelf so long). Some dyes and preservatives have been shown to contain to cancer-causing agents and others are said to elicit allergic reactions and may be linked to hyperactivity, especially in children.
So, instead of consuming processed and convenience foods, my goal was to focus on whole and natural foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, natural nut butters, lean proteins, legumes and whole grains.
A diet rich in natural and whole foods has some obvious health benefits:
February 13th was the last day of my focus on “Processed Foods Outta Here”
So how do I feel?
I feel sooooooo good!
And how did I do?
Eliminating processed foods from my diet was not easy and I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t have the occasional slip-up. That being said, I am extremely satisfied with my ability to minimize my consumption of processed and convenience foods. In fact, by forming past healthy habits like “Say Yes To Fruits and Vegetables,” “Empty Out Empty Calories,” “Bye-bye Artificial Sweeteners,” and “Drink More Water,” I was already setting myself up for success. That’s why I believe that living a healthy lifestyle is a progressive process that begins by forming healthy habits that last!
Now I thought that I would take the time to answer some of the most frequently asked question that I’ve gotten about my healthy living initiative to minimize the amount of processed convenience food from my diet.
Q: What do you believe to be the most important key to success to minimize processed foods from your diet?
A: Preparation. Having whole and natural foods that you actually like and want to reach for when you’re hungry is key to avoiding vending machines, fast food runs and frozen dinners. Some of my favorite snacks include yogurt with fresh fruit and/or oats, carrots with hummus (one of my faces!), fruit with peanut butter, dates, fresh nuts, smoothies with almond milk and frozen banana, and homemade goodies like Oaties , the 55 Calorie Snickerdoodle and Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies . At work, I stock my mini fridge with fresh fruit and salads and have tea on hand for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Q: What benefits have you noticed from eliminating processed foods from your diet?
A: I actually find myself missing processed and convenience foods less and less. I’d rather put together a quick veggie pureed soup than warm up a can of the condensed stuff. Another big benefit is that my digestion has improved and I don’t feel bogged down by heavy foods. I also feel like my skin is better when I’m staying away from processed foods. And finally, weight loss/maintenance is so much easier. In fact, in the last 4 weeks, I’ve lost 3.5 lbs!
Q: What processed foods do you miss the most?
A: Definitely cereal, crackers (Triscuits!) and chips (Pringles!). Mostly crunchy things that come in a box or bag 
I’ve never really been a big frozen meal girl, so it wasn’t too difficult to give those things up. As well, I’ve never been a big candy bar or packaged cookie person either, although I won’t turn down the occasional Reese’s Cup.
Q: You said that you were giving up processed foods but you still eat pre-made salad dressings and some other convenience foods. What not give it all up?
A: I wish that I could and as I continue my healthy lifestyle I plan to try new products, recipes and tips to further improve my diet. However, I’m a NYC girl, working a full-time job, with a 45 minute commute on each side of my work day, maintaining a daily blog, marriage and dog! I can’t do it all!
Q: What was the most difficult time you had giving up processed foods?
A: The hardest day was the Super Bowl. I so badly wanted to dive into a big bag of Tostitos with salsa. Instead, I made a chicken dip with skinless, boneless breasts and used veggies to dip and homemade ‘skinny’ sugar cookies !
Q: Did you notice anything negative from your Meditation Sensation initiative?
A: Other than the occasional intense craving? Nope.
Q: Do you plan to introduce processed foods back into your diet now that your ’28 day’ healthy initiative is over?
A: Yes and no. There are a lot of things that I have learned to live without and don’t miss and some things that I know are quite processed and bad for me. I plan to stay away from those things. As far as crackers, chips and cereals go – I plan to seek out organic and whole grain options that are better for me to enjoy occasionally. I wouldn’t mind learning to bake my own whole grain crackers as well.
Q: What’s next?
Check back tomorrow for my FINAL BIG WRAP UP FROM THIS PAST YEAR!
_______________________________________________________
SUNDAY
Current Shabbott’s Habit : Processed Foods Outta here
None
_______________________________________________________
Shabbott’s Habits already met
1. Drink more water - finished March 9 & still going ~ 65 oz
2. Move it or lose it – goal met April 5 ~ 45 min elliptical
3. Breakfast of Champions – goal met May 3 ~ Breakfast sandwich w/egg and bacon
4. Sleep like a baby – goal met May 31 ~ 8
5. Say Yes to Fruits/Veggies – goal met June 28 ~ 2 / 3
6. No Wait for Weights – goal met July 26 ~ Legs/Glutes
7. Empty Out Empty Calories – temptations = Oaties!
8. Take your vitamins – goal met September 26 – Took them!
9. Bye-bye artificial sweeteners – goal met October 24 – 1 Splenda
10. Core Challenge – goal met November 21 – 60 crunches
11. Portion Contortion – 1/3 C. granola measured
12. Meditation sensation – Ab stretches
_______________________________________________________
MONDAY
Current Shabbott’s Habit : Processed Foods Outta here
None
_______________________________________________________
Shabbott’s Habits already met
1. Drink more water - finished March 9 & still going ~ 75 oz
2. Move it or lose it – goal met April 5 ~ 5 mile run
3. Breakfast of Champions – goal met May 3 ~ Yogurt, granola, strawberries
4. Sleep like a baby – goal met May 31 ~ 8
5. Say Yes to Fruits/Veggies – goal met June 28 ~ 3 / 3
6. No Wait for Weights – goal met July 26 ~ Abs, Shoulders
7. Empty Out Empty Calories – temptations = Oaties!
8. Take your vitamins – goal met September 26 – Took them!
9. Bye-bye artificial sweeteners – goal met October 24 – None
10. Core Challenge – goal met November 21 – 200 assorted crunches
11. Portion Contortion – 1/3 C. granola measured, 2 Tbsp dressing measured
12. Meditation sensation – Pre-run stretching routine
_______________________________________________________
First thing is first – Congrats to Katrina for winning the Blogiversary Giveaway ! I’ll be in touch soon to set up your magazine subscriptions.
I can’t believe it. Today is the day that I finish my FINAL Shabbott’s Habits : Processed Foods Outta Here!!!
It has taken me just over a year (369 days), but in total, I have worked to form 13 healthy habits, and I’ve chronicled all of my healthy living adventures on this blog.
I seriously can’t believe that this project is complete.
Be sure to check out the summaries of past accomplishments if you haven’t had a chance to yet.
My focus on “Processed Foods Outta Here” was definitely the most difficult healthy initiative to date, which is why I left it for last.
During “Processed Foods Outta Here,” I had a 28-day goal to:
sourceWhy 28 days?
“They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. I say give yourself 28 to make sure that it really sets in.”
Why eliminate processed convenience foods?
Like I’ve mentioned in my previous post about convenience foods:
So, instead of consuming processed and convenience foods, my goal was to focus on whole and natural foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, natural nut butters, lean proteins, legumes and whole grains.
A diet rich in natural and whole foods has some obvious health benefits:
February 13th was the last day of my focus on “Processed Foods Outta Here”
So how do I feel?
I feel sooooooo good!
And how did I do?
Eliminating processed foods from my diet was not easy and I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t have the occasional slip-up. That being said, I am extremely satisfied with my ability to minimize my consumption of processed and convenience foods. In fact, by forming past healthy habits like “Say Yes To Fruits and Vegetables,” “Empty Out Empty Calories,” “Bye-bye Artificial Sweeteners,” and “Drink More Water,” I was already setting myself up for success. That’s why I believe that living a healthy lifestyle is a progressive process that begins by forming healthy habits that last!
Now I thought that I would take the time to answer some of the most frequently asked question that I’ve gotten about my healthy living initiative to minimize the amount of processed convenience food from my diet.
Q: What do you believe to be the most important key to success to minimize processed foods from your diet?
A: Preparation. Having whole and natural foods that you actually like and want to reach for when you’re hungry is key to avoiding vending machines, fast food runs and frozen dinners. Some of my favorite snacks include yogurt with fresh fruit and/or oats, carrots with hummus (one of my faces!), fruit with peanut butter, dates, fresh nuts, smoothies with almond milk and frozen banana, and homemade goodies like Oaties , the 55 Calorie Snickerdoodle and Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies . At work, I stock my mini fridge with fresh fruit and salads and have tea on hand for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Q: What benefits have you noticed from eliminating processed foods from your diet?
A: I actually find myself missing processed and convenience foods less and less. I’d rather put together a quick veggie pureed soup than warm up a can of the condensed stuff. Another big benefit is that my digestion has improved and I don’t feel bogged down by heavy foods. I also feel like my skin is better when I’m staying away from processed foods. And finally, weight loss/maintenance is so much easier. In fact, in the last 4 weeks, I’ve lost 3.5 lbs!
Q: What processed foods do you miss the most?
I’ve never really been a big frozen meal girl, so it wasn’t too difficult to give those things up. As well, I’ve never been a big candy bar or packaged cookie person either, although I won’t turn down the occasional Reese’s Cup.
A: Definitely cereal, crackers (Triscuits!) and chips (Pringles!). Mostly crunchy things that come in a box or bag
Q: You said that you were giving up processed foods but you still eat pre-made salad dressings and some other convenience foods. What not give it all up?
A: I wish that I could and as I continue my healthy lifestyle I plan to try new products, recipes and tips to further improve my diet. However, I’m a NYC girl, working a full-time job, with a 45 minute commute on each side of my work day, maintaining a daily blog, marriage and dog! I can’t do it all!
Q: What was the most difficult time you had giving up processed foods?
A: The hardest day was the Super Bowl. I so badly wanted to dive into a big bag of Tostitos with salsa. Instead, I made a chicken dip with skinless, boneless breasts and used veggies to dip and homemade ‘skinny’ sugar cookies !
Q: Did you notice anything negative from your Meditation Sensation initiative?
A: Other than the occasional intense craving? Nope.
Q: Do you plan to introduce processed foods back into your diet now that your ’28 day’ healthy initiative is over?
A: Yes and no. There are a lot of things that I have learned to live without and don’t miss and some things that I know are quite processed and bad for me. I plan to stay away from those things. As far as crackers, chips and cereals go – I plan to seek out organic and whole grain options that are better for me to enjoy occasionally. I wouldn’t mind learning to bake my own whole grain crackers as well.
Q: What’s next?
Check back tomorrow for my FINAL BIG WRAP UP FROM THIS PAST YEAR!
_______________________________________________________
SUNDAY
Current Shabbott’s Habit : Processed Foods Outta here
None
_______________________________________________________
Shabbott’s Habits already met 1. Drink more water - finished March 9 & still going ~ 65 oz
2. Move it or lose it – goal met April 5 ~ 45 min elliptical
3. Breakfast of Champions – goal met May 3 ~ Breakfast sandwich w/egg and bacon
4. Sleep like a baby – goal met May 31 ~ 8
5. Say Yes to Fruits/Veggies – goal met June 28 ~ 2 / 3
6. No Wait for Weights – goal met July 26 ~ Legs/Glutes
7. Empty Out Empty Calories – temptations = Oaties!
8. Take your vitamins – goal met September 26 – Took them!
9. Bye-bye artificial sweeteners – goal met October 24 – 1 Splenda
10. Core Challenge – goal met November 21 – 60 crunches
11. Portion Contortion – 1/3 C. granola measured
12. Meditation sensation – Ab stretches
_______________________________________________________
MONDAY
Current Shabbott’s Habit : Processed Foods Outta here
None
_______________________________________________________
Shabbott’s Habits already met 1. Drink more water - finished March 9 & still going ~ 75 oz
2. Move it or lose it – goal met April 5 ~ 5 mile run
3. Breakfast of Champions – goal met May 3 ~ Yogurt, granola, strawberries
4. Sleep like a baby – goal met May 31 ~ 8
5. Say Yes to Fruits/Veggies – goal met June 28 ~ 3 / 3
6. No Wait for Weights – goal met July 26 ~ Abs, Shoulders
7. Empty Out Empty Calories – temptations = Oaties!
8. Take your vitamins – goal met September 26 – Took them!
9. Bye-bye artificial sweeteners – goal met October 24 – None
10. Core Challenge – goal met November 21 – 200 assorted crunches
11. Portion Contortion – 1/3 C. granola measured, 2 Tbsp dressing measured
12. Meditation sensation – Pre-run stretching routine
_______________________________________________________