It’s a new year, with new resolutions to eat healthfully and lose weight. But not everyone who resolves to eat healthier follows through.
“Many people make New Year’s resolutions, but they have no steps in place to achieve that goal,” said Nicky Tierney, owner A Healthy Balance Inc.[1] , a nutrition and fitness company in Quincy. Unrealistic expectations also become an obstacle, she added.
She suggests setting SMART — specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely — goals. “For example, if you want to lose 60 pounds, start one pound at a time,” she says. Accountability, in the form of group activities or daily reminders, can also help, said Tierney.
Tierney is one of many nutrition and fitness specialists in our area with practical advice on alternative approaches to healthy eating in the new year.
NICOLE CORMIER
Delicious Living Nutrition[2] and Farm Fare Market, Sandwich
To stick with your healthy New Year’s resolution, create a plan and a support system, and eat local, said Cormier, a registered dietitian.
“Individuals have different needs. My personal plan may not work for my clients or friends,” she said. “A plan must consider where we are versus where we want to be.”
Rye Tavern in Plymouth is a favorite for Cormier. The tavern, part of the farm-to-table movement, uses local ingredients because “they care about their customers’ health, the environment, and their local community,” said Cormier.
Knowing more about your food and where it comes from is key to sticking with healthy eating resolutions. “Fad diets can destroy how people think about food,” she said. “Take potatoes for example. I tell my clients, ‘If I dig the food up in my backyard, you can eat it. If the food doesn’t rot, don’t eat it.’ ”
KRISTIN MCGILLICUDDY
Stonehill College
McGillicuddy’s iPhone uses the My Fitness Pal[3] app, which brings together an online community to help people achieve their weight-loss goals. (The app is also available for Android and Windows devices.) Since using the app, McGillicuddy has learned portion control and how to choose healthier foods when eating out. She’s also lost 10 pounds.
McGillicuddy, a business development director and adjunct faculty member at Stonehill, uses My Fitness Pal as her journal. “Tracking my food intake made me more aware of, for example, the small chocolate bar I ate during the day,” she said.
At restaurants, she’ll enter items in the app before ordering and will get calorie comparisons. “I’ve been known to change my meal order once I compare calories,” she said.
MICHAEL DWYER
The Fruit Center Marketplace
The Fruit Center, with stores in Hingham and Milton, sources products locally whenever possible, said Dwyer, the company’s marketing director.
Among its suppliers are two local health food companies. One is Authentically You Power Snacks[4] , based in Scituate, which sells snack bars made with organic ingredients. Flavors include banana macaroon, goji brownie, and apple walnut.
“We also work with Organic Living Superfoods[5] based in Boston,” says Dwyer. Organic Living’s product line includes specialty products such as organic raw maca root powder (created from a Peruvian vegetable related to the potato that can be sprinkled on cereal or added to a smoothie) and organic spirulina powder (a form of algae that adds protein to a vegetarian diet).
Requests for healthy food items are varied, and there is growing interest in gluten-free products. “Many customers will request certain gluten-free products or brands, and we’ll make every effort to make them available,” said Dwyer.
The Fruit Center is continually bringing in new items. The stores carry more than 40 types of organic produce every day, and the salad bar this year added raw kale to the selection of greens and prepared salads featuring quinoa.
“We carry several vegan items, nut-free products, and sugar substitutes,” says Dwyer. Those looking for a dairy alternatives will find rice milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and more recently quinoa milk, on the shelves.
LINDSAY RENTZ
Lindsay Rentz Fitness[6] , Hingham
Awareness and mindful eating can help when eating out. “Rather than mindless munching, be mindful of eating,” said Rentz, a yoga teacher and personal trainer.
Before eating out, clients should go online and look at the menu of the restaurant, if available, she said.
Rentz also encourages clients to keep a food journal. “With a journal, they have an idea of how little bites and snacks can add into unwanted pounds,” said Rentz.
Options include Burtons Grill at Derby Street in Hingham, which accommodates those with food allergies and intolerances. Rentz enjoys fresh salads with a piece of fish or grilled chicken.
She also recommends the Square Cafe in Hingham. “They’ll make a small plate with lean protein, salad, and add fresh herbs and spices to make it interesting.”
When she’s not in the mood for a formal meal, Rentz goes to Whole Foods at Legacy Place in Dedham. With a spacious seating area, fresh salad bar, and a variety of prepared foods, a trip to Whole Foods is “a great way to get shopping done, eat well, and visit with a friend, client, or colleague,” she said.
These types of meals also show that meals are more than what we eat. “When dining out,” Rentz said, “remember it’s the company that is important, not the food.”
Stacey Shipman can be reached at www.staceyshipman.com.[7]
References
- ^ A Healthy Balance Inc. (www.ahealthybalanceinc.com)
- ^ Delicious Living Nutrition (www.deliciouslivingnutrition.com)
- ^ My Fitness Pal (www.myfitnesspal.com)
- ^ Authentically You Power Snacks (www.authenticallyyouwellness.com)
- ^ Organic Living Superfoods (www.organiclivingsuperfoods.com)
- ^ Lindsay Rentz Fitness (www.lindsayrentzfitness.com)
- ^ www.staceyshipman.com. (www.staceyshipman.com.)
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