Mindful eating is my simplified way of dieting or should I say change of lifestyle. Your diet should be a lifestyle change.ย 

I canโ€™t imagine not ever eating white rice, ever! Or having a piece of toast with butter. This is just who I am. I like to enjoy my food.ย 

But now that Iโ€™m 53, my metabolism isnโ€™t the same. I hate putting pressure on myself with workouts. Iโ€™ve built better habits over the past 5 years.

Iโ€™ve changed the way I eat.ย 

Every morning I drink a glass of water with 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.ย There are a ton of health benefits that come with taking apple cider vinegar.ย I also like drinking beets juice. It gives me energy and it helps me start the day right.ย I take Vitamins for my bones, I also take Vitamin D, B12, and B6.ย 

Now letโ€™s talk about coffee! For many years, I drank my coffee โ€œlight & sweetโ€. This means, a lot of creamer, and a lot of sugar. So when I started being mindful of my calorie intake, I discovered that- drinking my coffee this way isnโ€™t going to work. Itโ€™s awful.ย 

I was already consuming almost 500 calories with having 2-3 cups in the morning. Without a doubt –ย  I switched to drinking my coffee black. I started drinking my coffee black in September of 2017. It wasnโ€™t easy switching. It is an acquired taste. You just have to learn how to love it.ย 

And now I donโ€™t even miss the creamer and the sugar! I saved myself a lot of calories which I can then use towards foods I choose to eat throughout the day.ย 

For me it was finding the kind of food that I enjoy, that is satisfying to my taste, but has to be low in calories.ย We all have different ways of managing our health. Itโ€™s never-ย  โ€œa one size fits- allโ€ย  way.ย 

I do what works for me. Counting calories and still being able to treat myself on weekends.ย I still have desserts and carbs. Iโ€™m just mindful on my intake with the meals I incorporate during that day or the following day. My mottoโ€ฆ.

โ€œSomethingโ€™s Gotta Giveโ€

So if I decide to โ€œover do itโ€ one day, just because Iโ€™m craving for salty or sweetsโ€ฆ. I just gotta go for it! I canโ€™t deprive myself or else Iโ€™ll go nuts.ย Sometimes, my body looks for it. I think itโ€™s my hormones too. So whenever Iโ€™m feeling this way, I avoid eating around the food Iโ€™m craving for – because I end up eating more and end up disappointing myself โ˜น๏ธ.ย 

Iโ€™d like to share with you my typical menu during my work days ? Monday-Friday:ย 

Breakfast:

  • ยฝ grapefruitย 
  • 1 hard boiled egg
  • 8 cherry tomatoesย 
  • ยฝ cup cottage cheese

Lunch

  • Tuna with Balsamic Vinegar/ salt & pepperย 
  • Crackers/ or wheat bread
  • Or
  • Soupย 

I snack on:

  • Honey crisp Apple
  • Watermelonย 

Dinner:ย 

  • Chicken with Veggiesย 

***Avocado toast on weekends/ oatmeal/ eggs & toast

*** I also โ€œJuiceโ€ fruits and veggies too!ย 

On weekends- instead of drinking red wine ? I would alternate with Vodka and Club sodaโ€ฆ. It is less calories and less sugar than red wine.ย 

Going out to dinner – I usually order fish or chicken. Once in a while I order red meat.ย 

Pasta is a treat!!!!ย 

Of course if I eat pasta or rice โ€”- I have to manage my intake the following day.ย 

Let me addโ€ฆ. Always drink a lot of water!!!!!ย 

Itโ€™s never a strict diet. Itโ€™s just being able to understand what I put into my body.ย 

And thatโ€™s my mindful eating! ?