I was asked in an interview for a major magazine yesterday how to eat to stay lean and healthy.  Eating has become one of the most confusing things in the world, but it doesn’t have to be.  You have to eat protein, carbohydrates and fats.  The key is to find out what the appropriate amount of carbohydrates you can personally handle and stay lean, fit and healthy.

Protein: You need at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight.  You are better off with lower fat proteins like eggs and egg whites, fish, chicken and turkey breast, cottage cheese etc.

Fats: Good fats from olive oil, fish, fish oil, nuts, avocados,  etc.

Now the confusing part…. Carbohydrates.  I like a low or no starchy carbohydrate approach to eating.  Basically, starches and sugars—carbohydrates that are high glycemic, have a tendency to have the body produce more insulin, which in turn causes additional fat storage and inhibits fat loss. So it’s best to avoid those types of carbs and eat only low-glycemic carbs.

This isn’t a difficult diet to follow and in fact you only eat this way for 5 1/2 days a week.  What I tell people to do is to eat this way monday through Saturday at lunch time, then  you can eat what ever you want from Saturday at lunch time through Sunday… within reason and still loose fat and stay lean.  Most people want to go back to the low carb way of eating by sunday at lunch time anyway.

I kept this short, sweet and simple for a reason.  Eating isn’t that complicated.