A K. Parris Post: After Club Eats at 4 am…BAD IDEA
How many of us try to eat healthy on a daily basis? *hand raised* Now. How many of us actually eat healthily on a daily basis, or even a weekly basis? *hand slowly shrinks down behind back* Right. Most of us don’t, yours truly included. And there can be many excuses..I mean, reasons (ahem) for this. It could be that you are too busy to prep food from home, so you grab something not so healthy en route to your next destination. It could be that you needed something fast and pre prepared. Or, it could just be that dammit, you love the double cheeseburger from McDonalds, you were leaving the club at 4 am, and that was what you went and got, dammit! LOL.
But seriously for a second. I’m sure you’ve heard the obesity stats ad nauseum , but let me bring it up again real quick, as a reminder…over 3.8 million Americans weigh in at 300+ pounds. More than 63% of Americans are considered overweight, with 33% of that number considered to be obese. What startled even me is the stat that 400,000 American are actually considered mortally obese (over 400 pounds). Wow. And I’m pretty sure that within those stats come many people who leave the club at 4 am and go to McDonalds. (Or Burger King. Don’t want to discriminate against you Burger King lovers. LOL.)
So with all that said, what can we do (or what do we do?) Now, I’m no skinny mini…and I don’t proclaim to be at my best…but I’ve been working on it, and at the very least, I can throw some advice into the ring about eating right without completely abandoning your favorite foods.
First off: AVOID CRASH/FAD DIETS. We all know crash diets: the 48 hour drink one that you can lose ten pounds, the master cleanse, which, though it is indeed good for your colon, is very rarely used for the right reasons…and then your fad diets, like your Cookie Diet or your Atkins Diet. Why are those considered fad diets? Because they start off with this big push, this big fad-like craze, and then, when the fad dies down, many people don’t stick with it or stay with it. Why? Because it’s an unrealistic expectation.
I want to avoid getting too preachy; but the reality is that YOU NEED CARBS. This is the second thing. Yup, I said it. And not just fruit, either. (Yes, fruit is a carb. Don’t believe me? Read this.) Low carb diets are ok but not really beneficial in the long run, the reason being that the body actually uses carbs to convert the sugars in it into energy for your body. I can’t tell you how many people I know who went low carb and needed Red Bull IVs to keep going. If you go to MyPyramid.gov, there are all sorts of tricks and helpful tips to eating right and balancing your diet (which is the key here, not crash dieting).
But enough about that. Healthy eating! This is one of my favorite recipes when I want to eat a little lighter…and no, I don’t like salmon, but this recipe is great…enjoy! Let me know how it comes out!!
Pan Seared Salmon Salad with Mango Vinaigrette
Yield: 2 servings
For the salmon:
2 center-cut salmon fillets (6 oz each)
1 ½ Tbsp olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
For the marinade/vinaigrette:
¼ cup mango nectar
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 ½ Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
For the salad:
1 ½ cups baby arugula leaves
1 ½ cups baby spinach leaves
2/3 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red mango, peeled and sliced
¼ cup thinly sliced red or Vidalia onion
- Place the salmon fillets in a shallow bowl. Toss well with 1/3 of prepared marinade (marinade ingredients should be combined and whisked well). Let rest for 30 minutes in the fridge.
- Cook the salmon, skin side down in a non stick skillet with a splash (1/2 Tbsp) of olive oil over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pan and carefully lifting the salmon with a spatula to loosen it from the pan.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Cover the pan and cook until the salmon is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes more.
- Meanwhile, combine the arugula, tomatoes, mango, and onion in a bowl. Just before serving, toss with mango vinaigrette. Serve alongside salmon.
I wish I ate seafood, I think I’d be much healthier if I did….. It’s hard like you said when you are always on the go… Article was great just wish there were an easier way!
yea, once i started making it a point to eat better, cook for my self, NO fast food (i sneak some pizza here and there), and cut the soda. Feel a lot better.
Also remember just because some people are thin doesn’t mean they are eating healthy. You really have to make conscious decision to eat healthy it’s hard in the city and on the go. This recipe sounds like a great summer dish.
I’ll have to disagree with you about needing carbs. Thats incorrect. A. Keyes, scientist proved back in the 40s that you can get glucose needed from a carb a protein and a fat. In fact in the 1800′s low carb high calorie ‘diets’ were used to treat obesity. They worked better than low calorie diets mostly because clients were not hungry. Also because of how the body metabolizes carbs vs fats vs protein, you’ll lose more weight eating veggies, fat (real butter, coconut oil) and protein.
danielle hm c
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.