One of the healthiest ways to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle is by eating whole foods. A large part of healthy living is changing the way we look at food. Food should be looked at as not only pleasurable and enjoyable, but as fuel for our bodies as well. Did you know that healthy eating plays a bigger role in weight loss than fitness does? It's true!

The percentage ratio of healthy eating and fitness is 80/20; 80% healthy eating, and 20% fitness. Healthy eating in itself also has an 80/20 ratio: 80% clean foods, and 20% treats. If we deprive ourselves from life's tasty treats on occasion, we will find ourselves binging, eating junk food, and eating 'dirty' more often than not. This adds up to several extra calories and unwanted extra weight gain.

An overweight/obese person can spend as much time in the gym as their Primary Care Physician allows. However, if a healthy menu is not fully adapted and incorporated to be at least 80% of their overall weight loss dietary plan, then weight loss results will not be obtained.

So what is healthy eating, exactly? Healthy Eating is defined as a way of life in which a person eliminates refined foods, chemicals, GMO's, and unhealthy beverages from their diet 'most' of the time. 'Whole foods' replace refined foods, and are the primary source of nutrients. The old saying goes here~ “If you can grow it, pick it, or catch it... you can eat it!” An example of a healthy, whole food snack would be choosing a whole apple over sweetened applesauce, apple pie, or deep fried apple fritters.

Sugars, unhealthy fats, processed fast foods, fake sweeteners, pre-packaged foods, white flour products, fried foods, and sodium-laden boxed foods are not utilized or consumed 80% of the time, and are replaced by real, nutritional foods that provide the body with vitamins, minerals, macro-nutrients, micro nutrients, and energy on a cellular level. Macro-nutrients include complex starchy carbs, complex watery carbs from veggies and fruits, Lean proteins, Healthy fats, and cleaner substitutes for cooking and baking. There are many healthier versions of unhealthy flours, fats and oils on the market today that allow us to make more nutritional meals and treats. Healthy eating is not a deprivation "diet"... it's a healthy way of life!

Healthy beverages consist of water, water with citrus, sparkling water, decaf teas, unsweetened beverages, green tea, and black coffee. A glass of wine or a light beer is a welcome occasional treat to some. In the beginning phase of healthy eating, alcohol is not recommended, but can be planned for on occasion. Soda is a huge no-no, along with diet soda. Did you know that soda/carbonated beverages actually stretch out the stomach? Juices, spritzers, and boxed drinks/powder drinks/meal replacement drinks are not recommended due to their high sugar and chemical content. However, you can enjoy these beverages on occasion.

By eliminating unhealthy foods from your diet and replacing them with nutritional whole foods 80% of the time, you can vastly improve your chances at real weight loss, as well as future success with obtaining long-term weight loss goals and life-long maintenance.