Learning to Eat Healthy: Do It in Steps

By Derek Warburton

From Ask Derek

What are your thoughts on the importance of a healthy diet filled with many fruits and vegetables as a way to look healthy? One without soda, fried foods, low on sugar, etc.
-- Ann F.

Ann, I cannot express enough that food is directly associated with looking healthy AND beautiful. The old expression, "you are what you eat" could not be more true. But for all of those junk food junkies out there, this is a tough task. MY suggestion to start on the bandwagon of healthy eating is to do it in steps.

Soda is very difficult to give up. Try moving to a diet iced tea. It still has the sweetness, but with about half the sugar. I have struggled my entire life with weight and yo-yo diets. The thing that worked for me was replacing my old tastes with new, healthier ones. This did not happen over night! Fried turned into grilled, XL turned into medium.

Also, figure out your favorite fruit and have that in the house instead of cookies, cake and candy. Most of us are late night bingers and if all that's available are apples, that's what you are going to go for. Also, so many of you are taking so many medications. Water, water, water is pertinent to wash away the toxins. Junk food and sodas are not going to help you gain back the healthy you!!! Good Luck!

-- Derek

Posted October 26, 2010.