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A: Like most people, I had to learn how to eat really well. Sure, I knew the basics when I was growing up—more fruit and vegetables, for instance.
And thank goodness my mother was quite strict about junk food—it was a "once in a while treat." I used to love Friday nights watching The Brady Bunch with a bowl of popcorn and soda pop!
But today nutrition is more complicated than it used to be. Scientific research has really expanded our knowledge of what's good for us and what's harmful. Ever since university my diet has been constantly improving: the more I learn about nutrition, the more I tweak my diet. But of course those basics are ingrained in me—very little junk, not too much fat, plenty of vegetables and so on.
Q: What are some good strategies for eating well when you're run off your feet and can't find the time to grocery shop and plan meals?
A: I always plan ahead—because I know what will happen if I don't. I might be tempted to order a veggie pizza. Not a bad choice actually (I ask for thin crust and goat's cheese). But I always keep staples on hand for healthy, quick, throw-together meals. Planning takes so little time. I just think about my week ahead—when I will be home for dinner, what I feel like eating—and I make sure I shop once a week so I have what I need. Believe me, I make good use of my freezer!
Q: We all have friends who eat poorly but take a multi-vitamin every day to "make up" for their lax eating habits. Can a multi-vitamin really supply them with everything that's lacking in their diet?
A: No, a multivitamin/mineral cannot make up for a diet that is high in fat and salt and lacking in fruits and vegetables. You get protective compounds from whole foods that are not found in a multivitamin, and you won't meet your daily requirements for iron, calcium and magnesium by taking a multivitamin. But a one-a-day supplement can help you meet your daily requirements for most vitamins and minerals.
My motto? "Eat well every day and take a multivitamin and mineral supplement."
Q: Do you have any suggestions for encouraging finicky spouses or children to jump on the healthy eating bandwagon?
A: I have a message for parents: stick with it, because eventually kids do come around. But it is also important to get your kids involved in meal planning and grocery shopping. Let them plan one meal each week. If they have a sense of ownership, kids are more likely to eat healthy.
In the summertime, why not let your kids plant their own vegetable garden? You'll be amazed at the number of vegetables kids will eat if those veggies come from their own garden!
Q: What is the single most important step people can take to improve their eating habits?
A: First things first: get organized. Know what you want to change, why you want to change it, and then make a plan. If you write down your goals—be they weight loss, eating more vegetables, cutting down on fat or boosting your exercise level—you'll be more committed to achieve them. And most importantly, take some time out to plan ahead and grocery shop—from a list and on an empty stomach!
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