It Starts With Food summary

Food can actually change how your hormones work. Your body’s hormones are supposed to keep your system in balance, but certain foods can throw your body’s system off balance.

Insulin, which controls the body’s blood sugar levels, is the most important hormone associated with food. Chronically high levels of blood sugar are harmful, and can cause diabetes. Insulin is supposed to prevent this by telling your body to store extra sugar as glycogen, to be used later when your body needs it.

Most people know it’s unhealthy to eat too much sugar or drink too much alcohol. But other foods that may seem more benign can also be bad for your health.

Try to keep all grains and legumes out of your diet, even such “healthy” options as quinoa or whole-grain (or brown) rice. While grains are nutritious, they are not as nutritious as fruits and vegetables. They have a higher calorie content, too. When you eat grains, you may eat fewer fruits and vegetables because grains can fill you up so easily!

So we’ve listed foods to avoid, but which foods then should you eat?

A healthy diet should contain a lot of meat, seafood and eggs, as well as foods that contain the “right” kinds of fat. Such choices are protein-rich, and protein helps the body grow, recover from an injury or a strenuous workout, and in general is one of the more satiating nutrients.

Most people eat without thinking much about how they are putting food in their bodies, whether in front of the television or on the run. If this is you, it’s time for a change!

Eating right starts with listening to your body. Your body tells you what you need. If you listen, you don’t even need to count calories! Try the following tips.

Baby steps don’t work when you’re trying to make a big change in your lifestyle. You need a radical change to break bad habits, or you’ll just fall back on them.

That’s why the Whole30 plan is so effective. The Whole30 plan aims to reset your metabolism in just 30 days and stop your unhealthy food cravings.

The key message in this book:

The food you eat has a big effect on your mood, psychology, immune system and strength. So give your diet the attention it deserves! Avoid grains, dairy products and unhealthy fats, and make sure you get plenty of protein, vegetables and fruits. Kick start your metabolism and suppress your cravings with the Whole30 plan, but don’t lose hope if you slip up now and then. The Whole30 plan makes you healthier and stronger for life!