In spite of the rather radical measures people are resorting to reduce down, many are continuing to gain and regain lost weight.
My take on that, of course, is that a sensible eating plan, steady and consistent effort and lifestyle improvements bring long-lasting lifelong weight results. That is how I did it.
A glance at what we eat in Cayman typically shows that while some options are excellent, others are clearly contributing to local obesity levels.
Great options
Anything that grows from the ground and on trees is a better choice than the factory-manufactured, packaged, pricey products on supermarket shelves. Increasingly, Cayman-grown foods offers the reward of fresher, more nutrition-packed and better-priced goods.
Thankfully, we have had an increase in locally grown produce in recent years. Thank you to all the people involved. I love to stop at a roadside stand in Bodden Town and purchase avocado, peppers, and new and unusual grown foods that are delicious, fresh and healthy. I’ve made a decision to buy local.The Cayman diet has long included coconut oil – an excellent oil to use. What is not so great for your heart and health are oily and fatty foods like salt beef, fried and deep-fried chicken, deep-fried fish, festival and French fries. Using coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil for a light fry or salad dressing is beneficial.
Not so great
Too many carbohydrates at one meal of the “breadkind” nature adds a whopping, disproportional amount of starchy carbohydrates. Limit yam, breadfruit, plantain, green banana, as well as traditional rice and beans, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, breadfruit salad and the proverbial white roll. Without a high level of physical activity, these foods get stored on the body in layers of fat.
Keep an eye on the amount of food consumed at one meal as local portions can be very large. Let’s face it, the amount of white rice under that curry chicken is huge, the extra bread and festival with jerk chicken is often excessive and the takeout at most restaurants offers enough for a meal for two, if not an entire family.
In earlier days, people on these islands walked great distances and were sustained by such hearty and healthy foods, but that no longer applies today. Plus, this lack of exercise is compounded by the fatty fast-food world.
The Cayman diet, with a few adjustments and additions, can satisfy and support a healthy weight.
Donna Mitchell is a lifestyle consultant specializing in weight management and self-help. She can be contacted on [email protected].
Anything that grows from the ground and on trees is a better choice than the factory-manufactured, packaged, pricey products on supermarket shelves.
Related Videos
