A lot of people are filling up their grocery carts with foods meant to last as the world faces the Covid-19 crisis. In this episode I explore what a diet might look like that excludes all fresh meat and vegetables and talk about how one can still meat the NIH-recommended dietary nutrient minimums. 

In this virus season, we're acutely aware of how much we owe to our immune system. One of the most crucial contributors to that system is Vitamin A. In this episode we describe the functions of Vitamin A, its various forms and their sources, and also how much we need to get - and how how much is dangerous. 

Additionally I mention an exciting tool to help you plan your meals for nutrition that I'll be sharing more about soon.

What's the difference between being blown away by what you see in the mirror versus wondering why your efforts aren't paying off? It's that crucial thing - consistency and we explore the topic in this episode.

From clickbait articles ('11 Salads With More Calories Than A Big Mac!') to 100-calorie packs of Oreo crisps, the message that lower-calorie is healthier is rampant. But in this episode we examine some important reasons to be skeptical of the low calorie label and some other ill-advised dieting trends to be aware of. 

There are a million opinions out there about what macro balance - that is the percentage of fat, protein and carbohydrates in our diet - is best. But when it comes to choosing what is right for you, it helps to know what the body get from each macronutrient, what acceptable ranges are and the reasoning behind the most commonly used ratios. I dive into each in this episode. 

As we get further into eating healthy, the clarity of what we're trying accomplish diminishes. Meanwhile, the amount of office birthday cakes, greasy comfort food and late night drinks we've passed on in the name of good health is growing. In this episode we explore some reasons beyond the eventual six back or beach body for staying on the path and following a nutritional meal plan. 

The music for today's episode is "chill" by sakura HZ, used under the creative commons license. 

Links to the studies mentioned in today's episode are below: 

Nutrition link to depression / mental health: 

https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/99/1/181/4577292
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3848350/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4050338/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4563885/

Nutrition/Restriction Link To Longevity:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867415001865

Nutrition Link To Intelligence:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161213113142.htm

How do we stick to the meal plan goals we've set each week? In this episode we talk about attacking attacking hunger, using deserts for good, positive self talk, and cultivating joy in our practice. 

90% of success in eating healthy is following your plan. Listen to this week's episodes to hear 5 strategies to make your plan something you know will help you reach your goals. 

According the Boston Medical Center, 45 Million Americans go on a diet each year. Yet 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese. In the inaugural episode of the Plan Your Meals podcast, I explore why dieting lets down so many of its practitioners and provide an alternative to provide longer lasting results. 

The intro music for today's podcast is "Chill." by sakura hz, used under the Creative Commons license.