The only diet that works is the one that you will consistently follow and maintain for the rest of your life.

What kind of fuel you put into your body determines what kind of health you will have.  

You know that if you live on coffee, donuts, fast food, soda, and alcohol or some combination like that, your body, just like your car on bad fuel, will sputter and not run at its best.

It is not necessary to become a vegetarian, not that there’s anything wrong with that, to fuel your body optimally.

Here are a few tips for optimizing your nutrition:

Eat everything in moderation.  This is your number one strategy.

Shrink your portions. According Christiane Northup, MD, your stomach only holds about 2 cups of food at a time.

Cup your two hands together and that’s about as much food as you should have at a meal or get out a ½ cup measuring cup and measure out your proteins, veggies and starches.  For example: 4 oz protein, ½ cup of veggies, and ½ cup of potatoes.

Eat colorfully. Fruits and Vegetables are full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants – all good for keeping a clean, healthy system.

Drink more water. Your body requires water to function at its highest level.  Drink at least 64 0z per day and up to ½ your body weight in water if you’re more physically active.

Eat Something for Breakfast. Research shows that those who eat in the morning tend to eat less fat and cholesterol and have healthier body weights.  Remember your portions here as well --- I’m not talking bacon, eggs, pancakes with syrup, toast with butter and jam.

Some of my favorites:  1 c. Yogurt with ¼ c. granola, 1 cooked egg with 1 slice of toast, oatmeal with 1Tbsp of peanut butter and sliced banana, 1 – 16 oz fruit smoothie

In order to find your body’s unique formula for optimal nutrition, start with one action that you know you can be successful with and maintain that.   Once you’ve done that, add another one. 

Your overall health and longevity depend on optimizing your fuel.  So as Nike says, “just do it.”