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Sunday Story…800 Grams!?! Really? 800?! How can anyone eat 800 grams of fruit and vegetables? How much is that anyway? For the record, there are 454 grams in one pound. That means 800 grams is just short of two pounds. Two pounds sounds like a lot, I know. But think about it…an apple is about 100 grams, a banana 50, but 800 grams is a pound and a half of kale. It depends on what you are eating. Are you going to eat eight apples a day? I think not. The idea is to mix fruit and vegetables and make varied choices within those groups. I ate 2 cups of blueberries and 1 cup of carrots this morning. My goal is 6 cups, which, depending on the density, should be close to 800 grams. To be exact, I will need to weigh my food. I haven’t quite made that step yet. The other problem is ingesting that amount of material. Going from 100-200 grams to 800 is a big switch if you aren't eating a fair amount of fruit and vegetables. I recommend you “ramp up” over a week or two. Make a concerted effort to increase your intake daily; before you know it, you will be up to 800 grams or more! I noticed these things during my first week of this challenge: First, I feel fuller than usual, but when I get hungry, I get hungry in a hurry. Second, the more I eat, the better I feel. In other words, my health feels more vital, and my energy is more even. Lastly, my digestive processes are more regular and easier. You can do this. It isn’t that hard. John Mariotti www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com www.crossfitodyssey.com 775-338-2412The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
The M.A.H.A. (Make America Healthy Again) movement has brought health into the spotlight like never before. I’m not mad at them for it. For the first time in decades, people are paying attention to health and those of us who have been shouting it from the mountain tops are just relieved people are listening. But despite the positive shift, much of the movement needs focus. The Problem: A Distracted Focus One major issue? The obsession with things like food dyes. While it’s great to be mindful of what we consume, the reality is that there is virtually no direct evidence that red dye causes health problems in humans at normal consumption levels (Layne Norton). Yet, many people who once distrusted government agencies are now treating the FDA’s word as absolute truth, when in reality, the answer—like most things—lies somewhere in between. The Big Picture: What We’re Missing America’s health crisis isn’t about food dyes, seed oils, or whether your snack is organic. The real issue? Overconsumption and inactivity. Junk food without red dye is still junk food. And no amount of “clean eating” will fix a sedentary lifestyle. The Common Mistakes: Missing the Forest for the Trees I once had a client proudly tell me she ate “really healthy” because all of her food came from Whole Foods. But organic ice cream is still loaded with fat and sugar—nutrient quality doesn’t cancel out overconsumption. Another client swore that Cheerios were great for heart health because the box said so. The truth? It’s still processed junk marketed as a health food. The Reality Check: What Really Matters Health isn’t about trendy buzzwords or fear-mongering over ingredients. The key to long-term success is calories in vs. calories out, combined with consistent movement. Instead of hyper-focusing on minor details, shift your energy toward: ✅ Eating mostly whole, nutrient-dense foods (Eat meat & vegetables, nuts & seeds, some fruit, little starch) ✅ Prioritizing protein, fiber, and hydration ✅ Managing portion sizes—yes, even “healthy” foods ✅ Moving your body daily—strength training, walking, and cardio Health doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require personal responsibility. Small, sustainable habits will always beat quick fixes and fear-based trends. Own your health, make informed choices, and focus on what truly matters.
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