You are what you eat, and for me, that means I'm a large frosted coffee and an eight-count nugget meal from Chic-fil-A, and it's not a good look. As a die-hard Pinterest user, I'm constantly intrigued by trendy diets that surface online. For example, a vegan diet is rich in nutrients, can lower the risk of heart disease, help you to lose excess weight, and put you in the running to win free Beyonce tickets for the rest of your life. If that's not reason enough for you to consider an alternative, I don't know what is.
At the end of January, Queen Bey challenged her fans to live a more plant-based lifestyle with her meal planning service, The Greenprint. Contrary to popular belief, Jay-Z and Beyonce aren't fully vegan, but they do abstain from meat on Mondays and consume plant-based eats for many of their meals and their meal planning service follows the same guidelines. The company, owned by the Carters and their trainer, Marco Borges, offers an array of dietary options including but not limited to: All plants, All the time; Plant-based for breakfast; Two plant-based meals a day; Meatless Mondays; or Plant-based on weekdays.
The Carters' enthusiasm has other celebrities hopping on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon, too. Steve Harvey mentioned on his show that his cholesterol levels have improved drastically since starting Beyonce's 22-day vegan challenge. And recently, we reported that The Real talk show host, Adrienne Houghton went (almost) vegan and the health benefits that come with the trendy diet make you (almost) want to join her. But if you're like me and you can't seem to ditch your meat-eating ways, here are a few other diets that may be more suitable for your lifestyle:
Ketogenic
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If you want to look like you're 25 when you're 52, the ketogenic life might be something you want to look into. Halle Berry shared that she made the switch to a keto diet at a young age after she was diagnosed with diabetes. This diet is high-fat and low in carbohydrates, which makes this option perfect for someone looking to balance out their insulin and blood sugar levels. A ketogenic lifestyle has proven to improve metabolism and burn fat more effectively.
Foods to Eat:
- Meat
- Seafood/Fish/Shellfish
- Avocados
- Eggs
- High-Fat Cheese
- Paleo
- Nuts & Seeds
- Berries
Foods to Avoid:
- Carrots
- Wheat/Rice/Oats
- Bread
- Pasta
- Low-Fat Cheese (Mozzarella, Cream Cheese)
- Legumes (Black/Brown/Kidney Beans)
- Chickpeas
Low-FODMAP
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This diet right here, ladies and gentleman, has been my best friend. I had my gallbladder removed when I was 16 and since, have had the digestion system from hell. Luckily, I'm not the only woman in the world who suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (just ask my rich auntie, Tyra Banks) and there are options for people like me who suffer from ongoing constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols, which are often poorly digested by the intestines, causing many of the aforementioned ailments. This lifestyle is perfect for women with food intolerances, or are just looking for a diet that's lower in high-fructose carbohydrates.
Foods to Eat
- Eggs
- Grapes
- Cantaloupe
- Oats
- Potatoes
- Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale)
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Bell Peppers
Foods to Avoid
- Artichokes
- Legumes
- Cauliflower
- Apples
- Mangos
- Peaches
- Soy Milk
- Wheat/Rye
Paleo
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This regime is the most throwback of them all. A Paleolithic (or caveman) diet consists of everything was eaten during the stone-age. This means, if you can't find it, kill it, and cook it, it shouldn't be on your plate. During this lifestyle transition, you should avoid any sugar or artificial sweeteners, trans fats, or highly processed foods. Issa Rae recently revealed that her paleo diet helped her slim down and keep the weight off on her new healthy lifestyle journey. Heavy hitters like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James have also lived the paleo life, making the diet perfect for a superstar baller life yourself. The paleo diet can be linked to improved overall health and weight loss.
Foods to Eat
- Unprocessed Meats
- Fish & Seafood
- Eggs
- Vegetables
- Frits
- Potatoes
- Nuts & Seeds
Foods to Avoid
- Sugar & High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Legumes (Beans, Lentils)
- Dairy
- Soybean Oil, Sunflower Oil, Grapeseed Oil
- Margarine
- Grains (Bread, Pasta, Rice)
- Diet & Low-Fat Products
- Artificial Sweeteners
Featured image by DFree / Shutterstock.com
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Psychologist Debbie Sorensen explained to CNBC why women and millennials are experiencing burnout in higher numbers. “We haven’t had time to recover from the trauma of what we’ve been through the last few years,” she said. “Women and young people, in particular, are putting an immense amount of pressure on themselves to keep going, keep working, no matter the cost.”
As women, particularly Black women, we tend to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Other people's problems become our problems, and then we are expected to show up to work and show up for our family and friends with a smile on our faces. Whew, chile! What if we are having a bad day? How are we supposed to cope if we have to be everything to everyone? Well, here’s your sign to make time for yourself, especially on the days when you are feeling down.
Below is a list of self-care ideas for when you are having a bad day.
Mapodile/ Getty Images
Spend time in nature
Sometimes something as simple as surrounding yourself with trees, grass, and/ or water can improve your mood exponentially. The American Psychological Association’s (APA) research shows that spending time in nature can improve attention, lower stress, and reduce the risk of psychiatric disorders.
Got to a Spa
There’s nothing like going to a spa. You can relax in a sauna, get a massage, and just be. According to research, massages help release serotonin and dopamine, which are often referred to as “feel good” hormones, that will instantly perk you up and have you going about your day with a smile on your face.
Get Artsy
When was the last time you did arts and crafts? Drawing a picture, painting, or even coloring can help you discover your inner child, thus boosting your mood. Purchase an adult coloring book, or go to a paint-and-sip class by yourself, or you can make it a group activity and bring your besties.
Look your best
The old saying, “When you look good, you feel good,” didn’t just come out of thin air. There’s some truth to it. The Kentucky Counseling Center shared a link between self-care and feeling good. “Self-care regimens are extremely important not just to stabilize your day but to make you feel great. Simple things like getting a facial, taking care of your hair done, or exercising can make you confident because when you look good, you also feel good,” according to its website.
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Breathwork
There’s a reason why it is suggested that you breathe when you begin feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. Breathing brings oxygen back into your body, and WebMD reports that it can decrease the fight or flight response that happens when you are stressed.
Spend time with babies
I don’t know about you, but nothing makes me smile quicker than a baby, especially a smiling baby. If you’re the same way, then spending time with a baby or babies may help put you in a better mood, too.
Do nothing
Last but certainly not least, do nothing. There’s nothing like laying in your bed and not being forced to do anything. Stay in this moment and use this time to relax and replenish your energy.
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