Can Healthy Food be Tasty Instead of Flavorless and Boring?

Stir-fried tofu, broccoli, mushrooms and squash over brown rice and flaxseeds

Our greatest glory consist not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. -Oliver Goldsmith

People often tell me that they would eat healthy, but it's flavorless and boring. To that, I can say, 1) I can definitely relate and 2) have faith - that won't always be the case. Here's how I know:

I loved junk food. I don't often tell people this, but I had a boss that used to stock a snack drawer at work to get me to work late. She filled it with junk (cause that's what I loved), and the piece de la resistance was my special order of spray cheese in a can with Pringles. This was an irresistible treat to me but it seemed to horrify others. Now I know why. Because... it's... GROSS!

People often think that I've been eating mindfully forever, but I didn't start eating (more) healthy until 2005. In fact, I remember talking to a healthy eater years ago and being fascinated. The guy didn't eat potato chips! I couldn't understand. "OK, you don't eat them. But don't you crave them?" I asked. Again he said no. I loved potato chips and couldn't comprehend not wanting to eat them every day, let alone being able to think about them and not wanting to eat them.

Then I had my cholesterol test and made a rash decision - I would only eat whole foods (no more junk food). It was tough and it took several months to wean off having Cheetos for breakfast. But it happened. And now I don't even crave potato chips anymore. Well, I do sometimes, but then I have the smallest bag I can find and am mindful about it. And it's not as delicious as I remember.

If you start eating healthily and mindfully, your taste buds will adjust. You've taught them to crave extreme flavors over the years - lots of sodium, sugar and fat. Go back to eating real foods, and your taste buds will go back to their natural state where they will be able to discern and appreciate natural flavors. Stick with it, and those old cravings will go away. You will start craving fresh, whole foods instead. That's a promise.

What to do - Stay Away From Processed Foods

1. Throw away your processed foods! If you have any processed foods in your house, you will eat them. So grab a plastic bag, go through your cabinets, pantry and refrigerator, and throw it all away. Even it it's not opened yet. If you have something against throwing food away - remember, it's not food, it's junk. Throw it away!
2. Replace your cabinets with healthy, mindful snacks.
3. Prepare your own foods. You can always spice them up with some heat - they don't have to be flavorless.
4. If you're really craving something sweet, have plain yogurt with honey and fresh fruit. Or buy the littlest snack pack and eat it mindfully. It's ok, you're doing great - just pay attention!

For more healthy eating articles, go to Food Renegade's blog carnival.

Here's a flavorful and easy recipe for brown rice and vegetable tofu stir-fry for two people:

1. Make brown rice. Boil 2.5 cups filtered water and add 1c. of brown rice, let simmer for 45-60 minutes until done.
2. Dice 2 cloves of garlic.
3. Chop up 1/2 block of firm tofu, 1 small summer squash, 2 stalks of broccoli and 4 shiitake mushrooms.
4. Heat up 2T canola oil in a wok over med-high heat.
5. Add the tofu and 1T soy sauce and stir-fry until golden-brown (2 min). If you are way of the sodium, use Bragg's Liquid Aminos.
6. Add broccoli and mushrooms. Stir-fry for another 3 minutes.
7. Add squash. Add 1 more tablespoon soy sauce or Braggs. For additional flavor, add 1T Thai Fish Sauce, chili or Tabasco.
8. Serve over rice and sprinkle 2T ground flaxseeds for a nice nutty addition. 

What I ate: 16 oz. green juice, 1 banana, 1 oz. pumpkin seeds, 1 oz. sunflower seeds, seafood chow mein + fried tofu (bad), 6 squares dark chocolate, 1 apple, 2 clementines, 1 handful Mindful Mix, 2 c. the above stirfry, hot chocolate 

Exercise: recovery run + 75 min yoga