It is that time of year again; new year resolutions, new exercise regime, even a few dieting thoughts. For this new year let’s try something new! Let’s focus on the naturally healthy aspects of our gluten-free lifestyle! There are many healthy aspects to a naturally gluten-free diet. The key to new year success is balance. Make small changes that are easy to maintain. Add changes over time – too many changes all at once often leads to no long term changes. So lets take a few areas that we can make small easy long life changes. You never know you might even enjoy the journey!

Healthy Eating:
Did you know that the naturally gluten-free grains have more B complex vitamins and fiber? We have an entire separate article on the grains they are so important! And recipes too! Another healthy aspect of the gluten-free diet is the natural emphasis on fruits, vegetables and protein. Here we can make some minor changes that will be easy to follow all year.
Did you know that steaming or stir frying vegetables preserves more of their nutrients than boiling? Try eating your vegetable when they are still crunchy instead of soft. Or even include fresh vegetables as your afternoon snack. Not only will this help you achieve the recommended number of fruit and vegetable serving each day but it will also replace the higher calorie and higher fat snack foods.

Fruit, especially fresh fruit, can be a sweet delicious and satisfying snack. During the winter months it may be harder to get enough fresh fruit so try some dried fruits mixed with nuts for a high protein sweet snack that provides heart healthy fats.

Our protein choices can be an easy place to add heart healthy meals. Using fish, beans, and lean cuts of meats can make a big difference in health. Foods like salmon, mackerel, and even light tuna have the types of fats that are protective for your heart. Beans and legumes provide great protein sources with no fat and lots of fiber. Choosing lean cuts of meats and poultry can also make a big difference.

Beverages too:
Just adding a few glasses of water each day can make a healthy difference! Try adding some sliced oranges, limes, or lemons to your water as a refreshing alternative to a sweetened drink.

Exercise or Activity:
The important rule of thumb when it comes to an exercise or activity regime is that you really should enjoy the activity. Don’t start a running program if you do not enjoy it. The key is to be active each day. The type of activity is less important that the fact that you are moving your body parts each day. Walking, dancing, yoga, snowshoeing, or even housework – what ever fits your fancy!!

Now it is also perfectly fine to change the activity with the season. In fact changing your activities with the seasons may help ensure that you keep active all year long. Nice snowy walks in the winter gardening in the spring and swimming in the summer are the making of a year long activity plan. The key to remember is to keep active on a routine basis and enjoy the activity.

Gluten-free lifestyle pyramid:
We have developed a great guide to help you on your way to a healthy happy new year. Our lifestyle pyramid helps to focus on positive changes that can be maintained over time. We hope you find it useful!
Here is to your health!