Everyone wants a healthy body, one that's fit and looks fantastic.  But with the poor eating habits and the lack of exercise inherent in our current culture, many find it a struggle to achieve the healthy, attractive body they desire.  Because there are so many factors in our cultural upbringing that affect what and how we eat, and the amount of exercise we get, it is sometimes necessary to consciously step away from what we think we know about health and fitness in order to find a solution that works best for us.

The first step in achieving a healthy, satisfying diet is to take a look what one is currently eating.  Chances are, the diet includes a large amount of meat, saturated fats from dairy products and fiberless bread products.  Unfortunately, these foods are staples in what has become the typical American diet.  In order to start down the road to success, a few changes and substitutions are in order.  This requires, of course, that the individual be open minded and step away from the false knowledge that has become ingrained in our culture, such as that massive amounts of protein are required to be healthy.  Certain amounts of protein are required, but not nearly as much as most people think.  The protein one can get from beans, nuts, eggs and legumes is plenty, and it is more readily absorbed by the body than protein from animal flesh.

The second step in achieving a healthy and satisfying diet is to find the foods that the body needs and replace the old, unhealthy foods with these.  Instead of eating a beefy hamburger, which is loaded with saturated fat and contaminants, try a veggie burger, which can be grilled or cooked in a pan.  A veggie burger sauteed with a little olive oil and Worcestershire sauce is just as delicious as a beef burger, but is healthier and lower in fat and calories.  Baked french fries will satisfy a fry craving just like ones fried in deep fat oil, minus the fat and calories.  By making simple substitutes to traditional American fare, one can transform his or her body into a healthy one quite easily.  The hardest part is overcoming the mental conditioning of our culture.

As a general rule, vegetable based foods and meals are healthier than animal based ones.  If possible, substitute anything that contains animal flesh, full fat dairy and enriched bread products with vegetable alternatives, light dairy and whole grains.

Below are some simple substitutions that can make a world of difference in one's health and body image:

Instead of                              Use This

Chicken of Beef Strips          Veggie based "chicken" or "steak" strips

Creamy Salad dressing          Red Wine Vinegar with salt and pepper

Chips and dip                        Crisp bell pepper pieces and salsa or hummus

Sugary sodas                         Seltzer water with lemon or lime juice splash

Sugar                                     Stevia or Splenda

Ice Cream                             Frozen berries, slightly defrosted

White Bread                          Whole grain bread

White Rice                            Brown rice

Sour Cream                           Greek yogurt

Cream cheese                        Light laughing cow cheese

There are millions of substitutions that can help one achieve a healthy body.  By focusing on avoiding animal flesh, full fat dairy products and enriched bread products and substituting them with nutrition packed vegetable, grain and light dairy alternatives, one can find oneself well on his or her way to a healthy body.