day 3: fueling up

DAY 3:
FUEL FACT: Another challenge to eating healthy is knowing what is healthy to eat. Yesterday, you were challenged to make a list of healthy foods you like. Today, and throughout the rest of this week, I will share with you example of healthy foods. We'll see which ones match your list!

There are 3 main categories of food that provide nutrients your body needs to function optimally: PROTEIN, CARBS & FAT. Today, let's focus on PROTEIN. Protein is important to your health because it plays a vital role in releasing energy in your body, aids in the formation of red blood cells and makes up so many key components of your body's tissues.

Healthy choices for protein include chicken, lean turkey, lean beef, eggs & egg whites, beans, Greek yogurt and select protein powder. LEAN simply means that there is very little or not fat associated with the protein. All breaded & fried foods, therefore, are not considered lean!
I don't include nuts here, because they are primarily a fat. And I personally don't eat beef, but it's a personal preference. However, towards the end of this challenge we will do a 10-day detox, so try to start now by getting a variety of protein in your diet.

FUEL FIX: Here is how I incorporate these healthy foods into my healthy eating plan...
*chicken-I cook chicken breast in bulk in the crockpot, shred & portion out for different meals I find on dashingdish.com. My favorites are white chicken enchiladas and the BBQ chicken stuffed potatoes.
*lean turkey-I cook ground turkey in bulk as well in a skillet with spinach, salsa and bell peppers. I portion this out as well for tacos and casseroles.
*egg whites-I make omelets just about everyday, cooked with turkey bacon and topped with avocado:) my favorite!
*beans-I often mix black beans into my shredded chicken or ground turkey and add it to my salads.
*Greek yogurt-I mix about 1/4 cup with 1 scoop protein powder and add fresh fruit and almonds for a snack or treat. I don't like it plain. I also use it a substitute for sour cream.
*Protein Powder-I use NutraStart as my recovery/meal replacement shake and IsoPure from GNC for baking to add protein.
*When dining out, ALWAYS choose lean protein, grilled with sauces on the side.

FAITHFUL FUEL: Proverbs 4:26 advises us to carefully consider the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established. I encourage you to take some time this week to evaluate your protein choices and how you can improve upon them, knowing that as you carefully consider your choices, you will begin to establish healthier habits that will last!