5 Tricks That Will Help You Kick Grains to the Curb

A couple weeks ago I talked about gluten free eating, then last week the Paleo lifestyle, and gave you the run down of what it entailed. This week I am going to give you some tools to help you kick those grains to the curb if you've decided to try out the Paleo eating style.

Grains –the food group that plays a big role in the eating habits of millions of people around the world. You might have heard of the food pyramid, which has grains as the big foundation. Oatmeal, YUM! Crackers, YUM! Toast, YUM! Cereal, YUM! Sure, most moms always tell us that we need to eat our veggies too, but most moms also always serve some sort of grain for or with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks as well – so grains have to be just as important as meats, fruits and veggies, right? The government & Big Food try to convince us that grains are a must in our daily diet. Are they right?

No!

But grains make up a hefty spot on the food pyramid so they must be healthy!

Wrong! 

Just because the government says it’s healthy, doesn’t mean it is. I can name you 14 foods off the top of my head that are banned in other countries but are served here as mainstays in our diets.

But I need the fiber! Um, sorry...wrong again.

You can get it elsewhere, like in a myriad of fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds – sources that don’t have all the other bad stuff in them like toxins. So as you can see, the importance of grains in a diet is actually pretty much a tale spun by the American food industry and regurgitated by doctors, nutritionists, dietitians & moms around the world.

That’s a tough pill to swallow, isn’t it? Health advocates around the world, especially those who follow a Paleo lifestyle, understand that grains can actually pose great harm to your body, leading to inflammation, illness, disease and even death.

To learn more about Paleo as a lifestyle and more on why grains are so harmful, please visit here drlaramay.com/blog/2017/7/31/what-is-paleo-eating.

However, grains are so ingrained (haha! cute, huh?) in our lifestyle, that my clients and so many others can say they want to ditch the grains, but find it so difficult to actually do it. So I want to share with you some of my tips for going grain-free.

1. Don’t go cold turkey and ditch the grains all at once.

Some can do this, but most people will quit all at once and then sabotage their efforts a few days later with a binge. To gradually incorporate this new lifestyle, you can first begin by ditching the unhealthiest grains (sugary cereal, fruit bars, rice, etc.) and instead opt for healthier versions (quinoa, brown rice, etc.) Once you’ve done that, gradually cut done your portions of grains meal by meal until none exist in your diet.

2. Fill up on proteins, veggies and healthy fats.

If you eat plenty of these items, you’re not going to crave the grains as much because your nutrient needs will be satisfied, and you’ll feel fuller longer. For example, eat lots of fish, clean meats and veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, peas, bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, etc. Also, don’t forget to add the healthy fat to each meal – such as avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, nut butters, grass-fed butter, ghee etc.

3. Don’t keep the grains in your house.

As they say – out of sight, out of mind. This holds true for the grains. If you don’t keep them in your house (after they’re gone for good), you’ll be more likely not to eat them.

4. Prepare meals in advance.

This tip has saved me so much time, patience, and sanity when I decided to change my lifestyle. I always write a meal plan at the beginning of each week and then shop, and prepare the food all in the same day. Prepping meals once a week prevents you from a binge on grains when you’re hungry. Purchase glass containers and mason jars to store your food in the freezer after cooking, and then all you’ll have to do is pop your food in the microwave. There will be no time to reach for the granola bars.

5. Indulge in scrumptious Paleo recipes.

Another nuisance that could prevent you from experiencing success with your new lifestyle choice is boredom. If you ’re making the same chicken and broccoli every day, you’re going to get bored and revert back to your old lifestyle. Therefore, it’s so important to try out new recipes all the time. In my Paleo program, I provide over 50 mouth watering Paleo-approved recipes for my clients to enjoy. 

Want to learn more about living Paleo? My Paleo program provides everything you need to adopt a Paleo lifestyle: drlaramay.com/vibrant-14-day-paleo