I love the research and finding what's all the buzz in the fitness world.  But WHOA! There is so much out there.  I love to try new things and new recipes, but overwhelming is an understatement.

When it comes to food, I have grown it, cooked it, eaten it.  I have had classes, continueing education and participated with athletes on different diets.  So what's the best?  Mediterrainian, Paleo, grapefruit, yes carbs, no carbs, vegitarian, vegan?  I had to remind myself, this blog is not about complex counting, picking and choosing.  It does not matter what name you choose to give your diet, you just have to keep it simple.

• Eat real food.--When you shop, buy whole food from the produce and meat departments.
• Cook your own food.--This may sound daunting to some, but some of the best food you will ever eat are super simple recipes that you make yourself.
• Read labels & pay attention to what you are eating.--Once you start realizing the things that make you feel bad after you eat them, you will want to make sure you don't eat them as often.  Comparing things like total calories, protein, carbs and sodium will help you make better overall choices.
• Remember that protein, carbohydrates and fats are all nutrients that keep your body running in tip top shape.  Please do not choose to eliminate any of them from your diet.  They have a specific function that is important to your health.  If you are checking out different diet plans and one says to stay away from any of these nutrients, it is time to raise the red flag.  Most programs will recommend 40% protein, 40% carbs and 20% fat.  However, high level athletic goals may require some tweaking to reach max performance.  Some people will prefer a little more protein while others may need a few more carbs.  Regardless of your goals, your program will vary around this percentage system without cutting nutrients out.

By keeping things simple you can eat, you can snack and you can do it without much thought or effort, while maintaining your health.