Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

This past Monday, Dr. Oz aired a show that focused on some of the dangers of artificial sweeteners. The artificial sweeteners, in case you don't know, are saccharin (marketed as Sweet N' Low), aspartame (marketed as Equal) and Sucralose (marketed as Splenda).

I've written about the dangers of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners for some time now. There are so many reports of health problems caused by these artificial sugar packets, including multiple sclerosis among other diseases. I was eager to tune in and find out what Dr. Oz would focus on.

The challenge is over after tonight, but I am so glad I participated in it! Although I'm not staying vegan for the moment, I do plan to try it again. More on that later. First I wanted to discuss my diet during the challenge.

I wanted to focus on quality food, nutrient rich and good sources of protein. I planned the foods I would eat before I started the challenge.

I've been using a pedometer for about a little under two years now. I've used it everyday consistently with the exception of one day, March 8 of last year, when I was sick with a bad cold. Every day since then, I've gotten at least 10,000 steps.

Now that I'm in my next phase of my workouts, I'm thinking of giving up the pedometer. I know I do a lot everyday and I do get the required steps in. I'm thinking maybe I should wear it on days that it's tough for me to get all the steps in, just for accountability on those days.

Anyone up to the challenge or at the very least investigating the different methods of losing weight know well that there are hundreds of different diets and variations.  High protein, high carb, low carb, balanced, Mediterranean, pills, points systems, calorie counting, see food diet (wait that one makes you gain weight)... the list goes on and on.

Today, I'd like to think people are more health savvy and realize that diets do not really work for the long term goals of living a healthy life. It takes a lifestyle change. What does that really mean?  "Lifestyle change" sounds so scary and burdensome!  It really isn't.  Only your brains addiction to sugar makes you feel that way.

I eat very clean now but when I read about a vegan challenge last month, I thought I should give it a try. I want to see how I feel without meat or dairy for a week. The challenge begins tomorrow and will last seven days.

I will still get all the protein requirements. As you may recall, my trainer wants me to have a lot of protein, especially when I''m training hard. This vegan challenge has gotten me to examine my diet and I think I came up with a good plan for the week. Basically, the big thing I'll be missing is turkey and Greek yogurt. All the other food is pretty much the same. The plan I came up with will have me consuming the pea protein powder, lots of quinoa, beans, spinach, etc.