As a horse owner, I spend a lot of money and quite a bit of time making sure that my horse is getting everything he needs in his diet. I buy the best supplements that I can find, combine the best hay and feed that my research has found for his metabolic and energy requirements, and I keep a close eye on his weight, taking stock daily of how he looks – getting fat? Losing some weight? Looking good? I would guess that many of you, as horse owners, make sure that your horse’s nutritional needs are met to the best of your abilities as well. But what about you?
My thought is this: What would happen if you took care of yourself as well as you take care of your horse? What if, instead of driving through the fast food joint because you’re rushing off to pick a kid up from school or get back to the office and sit at your desk for a couple more hours, you pack a lunch of a fruit or vegetable and a sandwich (tuna, chicken, salmon, all natural peanut butter and jelly), drink water instead of that soda or iced coffee? How do you think your life (systemically speaking) would change? Your body would be a whole lot happier! Nutrition is HUGE in the health equation, and too many of us just go through our day paying no attention to what we’re putting in our bodies. So next time you’re about to make a food choice, ask yourself this question: “Would I feed this to my horse?” If the answer is no, maybe you shouldn’t be eating it either.
Here are some tips to help you make healthier choices when it comes to nutrition:
- Don’t Skip Breakfast! - This really is the most important meal of the day. Research has shown that people who eat breakfast within an hour of waking up tend to have lower body fat percentages and a higher metabolic rate (that’s what burns calories through the day). Make it healthy with a whole grain granola and yogurt or oatmeal with raisins or another fruit. Avoid the donut and coffee at all costs!
- Eat Less, More Often (every two to three hours) – Your body is like a furnace, if you eat smaller meals (200-500 calories) more often through the day, it’s like keeping the fire burning by consistently giving it fuel, and it can burn more evenly. Try breaking meals in half, for example: eat 1/2 breakfast and two hours later eat the other half. Do the same with lunch and dinner. You’ll be amazed how your energy will be more level, instead of going through spikes and dips.
- Eat More Completely – Have a fruit and or vegetable at every meal (more vegetable than fruits). We’ve all heard the “5 a day” rule, well that’s a minimum. Your body needs the nutrients from fruits and vegetables and diets high in these lower your risk for little annoyances like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high cholesterol, etc. etc.
- Be Less Refined – Refined carbohydrates and sugars are one of your worst enemies, stay away from them! I know it’s horribly difficult sometimes since these are the things that often taste oh-so-good, but try to minimize things like cookies, cakes, ice cream, muffins, bagels, waffles, pancakes, sugary cereals, candy bars, bread, etc. Once you’ve learned to make better food choices, you’ll find you don’t miss these things as much as you thought you would.
- Go Green - Tea that is! cut out soda and other sugary drinks in exchange for unsweetened green tea which is high in all-important anti-oxidants. Brewing it yourself is best, and you can sweeten with an all natural honey, then put in the fridge for a deep chill, and enjoy with lunch or dinner!
- Drink More Water – it’s that simple. water is the life-giving liquid your body needs. Did you know that your body is 70% water? It doesn’t take long to dehydrate, in fact, if you’re thirsty, it’s already too late. Sipping on water throughout the day is a great way to make sure you stay hydrated and cut down on calories since you’re not taking in sodas, coffees, etc.
