Tips to Healthier Eating, Tastier Cooking, and a Happier Tummy

For the past several years, I've suffered from bouts of nausea (which I generally treat with ginger ale or ginger tea) and GERD. Visiting with my doctor, I found out my diet was a huge factor. I don't have allergies, but she says I eat way too many carbs and too much gluten and I should cut down on each.

I've taken her advice and the difference is amazing. I sleep better, I feel better, and dammitt, I look better and I have more energy.

It's made such a difference in how I feel that i thought I'd share these tips with you. I was doing many of these things before, but since implementing all of these changes to my diet, I've never felt better.

The following tips are both healthy and delicious. Once you start eating healthier, you won't be able to eat garbage foods anymore. Healthy food tastes better and doesn't leave you with that stuffed feeling.

I shared an abbreviated version of this list on webanswers. This is an expanded, more complete list.

Your best bet is to go to a Farmers Market or the organic section of your grocery store. These taste better and are better for you.

Use fresh spices, when you can. Basil and Mint leaves look nice and they have stronger flavor when fresh.

Steam your veggies rather then boil them. This retains more nutrients and flavor than boiling. Steam them with a little vinegar and chopped jalapeno in the water. Vinegar is heart healthy and a cholesterol neutralizer and really brings out the flavor. Steam them until they're nice and green (assuming they're supposed to be green).

Use free range meats and wild caught fish.

You don't want to eat a bunch of hormones or eat tortured animals. They feed farm raised salmon chemicals to make the meat look pink. It's terrible for you.

Anyone can eat fish if you marinate it in orange juice.

Use peanut oil whenever possible.

Brown rice over white rice.

Rice noodles over traditional noodles.

Presentation counts.

Know the source of your food. Buy your meat from a butcher or directly from a farm. Buy your vegetables and fruits from local sources, if possible, and always organic.

NO. MSG. EVER

Brussels Sprouts are good.

Salad with dinner. No exceptions.

Rice, noodles or potatoes, but not all three.

25% of your meal should be protein (fish, meat, tofu), and only 25%

Gluten free whenever possible.

Quinoa instead of rice or noodles.

Spinach is really healthy and doesn't have much flavor, especially when cooked. Therefore, you can put it in everything. It's especially good with rice or on a peanut butter and jelly sammich.

Big breakfast, small dinner.

Eat slowly.

Garlic can go on many things, including potatoes and most meats. Garlic is good for your heart (though, you may want to have fresh mint on hand, because of what it does to your breath).

Slightly under cook (al dente) your pasta. Cook your noodles with a little vinegar in the water.

Turkey bacon works great for BLT's.

Tofurkey makes a really good vegetarian sausage. Put it in Spaghetti. You won't be able to differentiate it from meat sausage.

Tortillas should be used in place of heavy bread whenever possible (and corn over flour).

Drink wine at least 1-2 times a week with dinner.

Try cooking that chicken with bourbon.

Never use canola oil.

Bay leaves and dried peppers enhance the flavor of potatoes and meats.

Fresh cilantro makes meat really pop. Use it whenever possible.

Use coconut oil whenever possible.

If you can't pronounce the ingredients, or if High Fructose Corn Syrup is higher than ingredient number four, don't buy the product.

Thanks for Reading.