Nutrition

Are the days of Intermittent Fasting over?



If you've skipped some of the headlines lately, you might think that's the case.



But wait! There's more! ;-)



CHECK OUT MY LATEST VIDEO BELOW where I talk about the study that has been referenced in every newspaper and magazine recently and what it tells us. I also share why intermittent fasting CAN be a tool for weight loss and why sometimes it's completely ineffective. 


And if you're interested in more than weight loss / fat loss... if health + longevity is your jam (like it is mine), make sure you stay 'til the end where I talk about IF in the context of overall health and wellness.



Happy Fasting!


XO,
Tara

Nut-free healthy snacks for kids

Nut-free healthy snack ideas for kids...



...that also happen to be free of gluten + dairy!



SHARING TODAY a few of the snacks the kids have been having at school so far this year. They help fill them up without making their blood sugar spike and crash... so these are some good ideas for adults too. ;-)



Are you a snacker or prefer to stick to your 3 meals?



Happy Tuesday,
Tara

Hunger: Friend or Foe

Hunger: Friend or Foe?



Is hunger inherently bad? Does it mean we're in 'starvation mode'? Is it an emergency? Does it play a role in fat loss or longevity?



CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO where I chatted live all about hunger and how it might apply to your various health goals.



Questions? Feel free to leave a comment and I'll get back to you soon. :-)



XO,
Tara

What we're eating in quarantine: our healthy food plan

What are we eating during our quarantine?




Last week, on Wednesday, I recorded this video to show you a little peak into some of the healthy meals and snacks we have been relying on during this time in which we're trying to avoid stores and aiming to have more shelf-stable items on hand.



This video was recorded from my bathroom because.... #momlife ;-)



In a time in which we need to band together, share our most creative ideas, and stay connected through technology as we keep our distance for the safety of ourselves and others, I am opening up my email to all of you. Please shoot me a note at Tara@TaraAllenHealth.com if you have a question, need to vent, want to share something, or simply want to see if we can make each other laugh today.



I have been very actively posting on my social media channels during our quarantine. If you'd like access to daily home workouts (in my stories), food prep and recipes, or 'suddenly homeschooling while working from home' life, let's connect on instagram and facebook



Stay well,
Tara



P.S. What's happened on social?



Note to Self
Toilet Paper Workout (yup, seriously)
Quarantine Lessons
Teaching you what I learned in Salsa Class: Step #1
Kids' Stool Workout

Rapid Weight Loss on Keto and Rapid

Rapid weight loss on a ketogenic diet (and rapid weight gain after?!?!)



You may have heard of a success story or two of a friend losing tons of weight when first beginning a ketogenic diet - something to the tune of 5, 10, or even 15 pounds in the first week or 2!

Have you also heard of anyone trying to come off of the keto diet? Likely they'd have complained to you about rapid weight gain at that point.

Check out my latest video (below) where I dive into the reasons for this rapid weight loss and weight gain...and share whether or not keto is key for fat loss.

Whether you choose to follow a specific nutrition plan or not, please know that anything that feels too restrictive...usually is! I'm here if you have any questions.

XO,
Tara

Sugar Cravings: 6 possible reasons and tips for each

Ever wonder where your SUGAR CRAVINGS come from?




Let me share the 6 most common reasons for them ... and, because that would be no fun to end it there... tips for dealing with each one.



Cool?



Check out my latest Workshop Wednesday video where I get into all the details on my instagram or facebook page. Couldn't upload the video this week...tech issues. But it's still hanging out on social if you prefer to watch and/or want more details.


1) Sugar rollercoaster. This is you if you have any blood sugar regulation issues such as PCOS, prediabetes, insulin resistance, or you just find yourself getting hangry often and not able to last too long between meals. 

Tips: Reduce sugar and refined carbs (like most bread, crackers, chips, pastries, etc.). Make sure your meals are balanced with plenty of protein, healthy fat, fiber, and vegetables. This will help elongate your blood sugar curve and prevent so many spikes and crashes. Also, don't forget to incorporate regular resistance / strength training into your days. Challenging your muscles turns them into sponges to soak up sugar out of the blood (preventing the spikes) and utilize them as fuel. You are making more room for the sugar and carbs, essentially. You can use weights, resistance bands, machines, or simply your own body weight to exercise. 

2) Lack of sleep. This interferes with hormones and hunger / cravings.

Tip: Prioritize both the amount AND the quality of your sleep. If you have young children at home that wake up in the middle of the night, make sure you are doing what you can...such as getting to bed earlier. More broken sleep is better than less.

3) Calories are too low. This could be your average being way too low and causing your body to scream for food by turning up your hunger and cravings...or, you're too low during the week and binging on the weekend. This is you if you think you 'hardly eat anything' but are not actually losing body fat. If you're not losing body fat, you are NOT in an energy deficit when days are averaged out. 

Tip: You do not need to count calories, but you do need to know that calories count. If fat loss is a goal, you need a low-moderate energy deficit. Not enough of a deficit? You won't make progress. Too much of a deficit? You body's survival skills (including increasing your appetite and cravings) will kick in and take over. 

4) Hormonal. Where are my menstruating women at? Have you ever craved sugar before that time of the month? I certainly have!

Tip: Allow yourself a smaller portion of a higher-quality treat, such as chocolate, if you'd like. Aim for no refined sugar or lower sugar options (such as very dark chocolate).

5) Habit. This is you if you want something sweet every night after dinner or every time you go to the movies, etc.

Tips: Swap the food for something else. Distract yourself. And delay your gratification by waiting at least 10 minutes between when your brain requests the treat and when you 'give in'. This will slowly start to train your brain that it won't always get what it wants, when it wants it. Sugar cravings begin to decrease over time as a result.

6) Mindset. You deserve a treat. You have been 'good'. You had a bad day. Does this language sound familiar? 

Tip: It's all about perspective. Listen up. I think you DESERVE to reach your goals. I think you HAVE been good and you DO have bad days sometimes. Which is precisely why I think you owe it to yourself to go for your longer-term goals. Kind parenting isn't about giving into all of our kids' whims, right? We're looking out for their greater good. Same goes for YOU. Being kind to yourself includes certain discipline. Not severe restriction. Not obsessive thoughts. But discipline. Flip the script here.



I'd love to hear from you if you have sugar cravings....will you leave a comment below and let me know which of these 6 categories you fall under? I'm happy to help!


XO,
Tara

Eating healthy on-the-go

Eating healthy on-the-go...



We've all made those proclamations. We're going to make better choices when we're out for the day. Maybe we'll bring food with us. Or we'll just choose the 'healthiest' option available.

But then we slowly get confused by the choices, our food prep game goes quiet, and we're right back where we started.

In my latest Workshop Wednesday video (below), I spoke about eating health on-the-go. There are 3 tips that you've heard before (but are still valuable)...and one that you've likely never considered. 

Short and sweet today. If you check out the video, drop a comment and let me know your thoughts!

XO,
Tara

Stop Counting Calories! 5 reasons why it's not the exact science that you think it is.

Are you counting calories? Tracking macros? Wondering why it's not working in the long-term?




Counting calories is way off from the exact science that so many people think it is. (More on that in a minute) But besides the inaccuracy, I urge my clients to consider the fact that mental wellness is a huuuuuuge part of overall wellness and anything that's going to make us feel defeated or put the focus outside of our bodies rather than tuning into our bodies is not going to be the best method for fat loss or any other health goals.




Today I'm sharing 5 specific ways in which calorie counting is flawed. Make sure you stay tuned until the end where I answer this question: "Tara, do YOU ever have your clients count calories?" The answer may surprise you.




I'd love to hear more about your history with counting calories or macros. Has it worked? Does it feel doable forever? Or would you like a better way to reach and sustain your goals? Hit 'reply' to this email and let me know!




XO,
Tara




P.S. While we're on calories, you do know healthified holiday desserts have no calories, right?! ;-) Did you know Smart Cookie, my brand-new e-cookbook with FORTY-TWO healthy dessert recipes (all are gluten-free and dairy-free as well) is available now and for a limited time during this holiday season?



Grab your copy right now! It's never too early to indulge when we're talking about wholesome ingredients and mouth-watering recipes.


And who doesn't need a Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie in their lives right about now?!

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KETO benefits...without being in ketosis?

Have you heard of the keto diet?



The keto diet…or ketosis….or the ketogenic diet - they all refer to putting your body into a state of nutritional ketosis through consuming close to no carbohydrates (usually under about 20g or 30g per day).

It's very hot and trendy right now, but it's not a new concept. This type of eating has been around for a long time and used as treatments for things like epilepsy, other brain diseases, and some doctors even prescribe it for certain cancers.

But the main reason it's gained popularity recently is for it's potential to help people with weight loss. You may have even heard from a friend or family member that they "went keto" and lost a bunch of weight.

While I am not against the ketogenic diet for some people, some of the time, I am not a fan of it for most people, most of the time.

Watch (or listen to) my latest Workshop Wednesday video in which I dive into this topic. I was able to reverse my PCOS and insulin resistance holistically, but without going on a "keto" diet. In this video I share 4 ways I've been able to do this and how you can start to get many of the same health-promoting and weight loss benefits of the ketogenic diet without actually being in ketosis as well.

In good health,

Tara

P.S. If you’re ready to make your health a priority once and for all and would like to see if we’re a good fit to work together 1-on-1, feel free to sign up for a (free) 15-min. call during which we’ll chat about your goals. :-)

5 pillars every weight loss program needs to have (that no experts are talking about)

WHAT IF YOU ARE MOTIVATED TO MAKE A CHANGE, BUT NEED SOME GUIDANCE?!?

In another recent video, I cover the 5 pillars that need to be a part of every healthy + sustainable weight loss program. You don't ever have to pay me a dollar (and I'm gonna keep showing up for you for free anyway!) But, I do want to make sure if you're ready to finally lose the weight once and for all (or otherwise heal your body), that you're going about it with all angles covered. If not by me, then on your own or with help from someone else.

Many nutrition experts just address nutrition.
Fitness experts will tell you it's all in the workout plans.
Occasionally you'll find someone that covers both nutrition and fitness.

But if that was truly all you needed, you'd have accomplished it already, right?!

This is GOOD news! It's actually great news because it means YOU are not broken, but rather the approach you've tried in the past didn't actually get to the root cause of what is going on.

A truly effective coach or weight loss program will cover all of the following - in depth:

  • Mindset (emotional eating, creating new habits, etc.)

  • Mindful eating (slowing down, internal hunger cues)

  • Nutrition (including portions, meal timing, actual real-life recipes)

  • Fitness

  • Lifestyle (sleep and stress play a huge role in healthy weight loss)



A program that thorough is hard to come by. In fairness, I don't know other professionals that are trained in all those areas. So it makes sense. Scope of practice laws are in place to protect us!



If you are interested in hearing more about the 5 pillars…or if you've ever been curious about what it looks like to work 1-on-1 virtually (completely online) with me to make a health transformation, definitely check out the video!

If you are READY to make a change and would like to find out if we are a good fit for working together, you are welcome to schedule a (free) 15-minute call so we can chat about your goals and next steps.

In good health,

Tara

Weight loss and GOOGLE! Huh?!?!

What do Google and weight loss have to do with each other?


You many be thinking, "Nothing!" But hear me out. ;-)


In a recent video workshop, I talk about exactly this - both literally and metaphorically. It's worth the watch (or listen) if you have been feeling a lack of motivation or direction lately in your healthy / weight loss journey.

Come join me inside my FREE, private facebook group for women looking to lose weight in a healthy + sustainable way for more resources, recipes, and video trainings!

In good health,

Tara

3 steps to crush sugar cravings and lose excess body fat

Imagine a life with no cravings!



No, wait…imagine what would happen to your body and your health if the sugar cravings could finally go away!

While there are no magic pills to make such a thing happen, there are definite steps you can take. In my latest Workshop Wednesday video, I shared 3 steps that will get to the root cause of your cravings and help you lose excess body fat. Consider this your road map to start taking action and seeing results!

If you're finding these videos helpful, hop onto my email list to ensure that you don’t miss them! I share healthified + delicious recipes (is there any other way though?!?), workouts, wellness and weight loss video trainings, and new opportunities over there - weekly! And P.S. you’ll receive a super-awesome welcome gift right away when you join. ;-)

CHECK OUT THE (10-min.) VIDEO RIGHT HERE:

Talk soon,

Tara

You don't need more willpower!

Have you been blaming WILL?



Good ol' Will…as in, WILLPOWER…tends to get a bad rap.



Everyone's looking for it. No one has enough. Everyone wants to 'find' more or create more. People are throwing their goals and dreams to the wayside all the while blaming their lack of willpower.



If you've ever found yourself saying, "If I only had more willpower…", then I'm glad this email found you today!



Willpower is actually a limited resource. Meaning, we run out of it fairly quickly due to all of the decisions we go through in a typical day. Those that are killin' it with their goals, getting healthy, fit, and strong all around you - they DO NOT have any more willpower than you do.



Let me say that again…successful people do not have more willpower than you.



So what's the secret? It's actually all about neural pathways. In the non-nerd world, it's also known as HABITS.



Check out my latest Workshop Wednesday video in which I tell you exactly how to make progress towards your goals without needing any willpower. Oh, and have you noticed what's different about my videos these days? They're shorter!! Hallelujah! I've been condensing my videos by shutting up sooner so it's more feasible for you to watch / listen on a weekly basis. ;-)



If you're liking the new, shorter videos, would you do me a favor and hit "reply" to this email and let me know? Of course if you'd rather I babble on forever about your favorite topics, let me know that too. I'm always looking for your feedback so I can best support you in your health & weight loss journey.


In good health,

Tara

P.S. If you need a weekly dose of weight loss and wellness tips, tools, and resources in your life, let’s do it! Join my email list and let me treat you like the VIP you are!



Is fasting healthy?

FASTING for 12 hours…yay or nay?



Have you ever been confused by nutrition - specifically around fasting? You may hear that it's ok, even beneficial but then are doubtful after hearing from another source that breakfast is the most important meal of the day or that you need to boost your metabolism by eating as often as possible.


If you are nodding your head right now, then you're going to want to watch (or listen to) this recent live video I did on Facebook all about it.


In the video I talk about fasting, what happens inside our body during a fast, and my recommendations for most people, most of the time.


Of course you need to make sure you discuss any changes with a healthcare practitioner that you trust. I have to say that. ;-)


Please note: the 6-week group program I mentioned in the video is no longer open for registration at this time. We are currently working hard on making incredible body + mind transformations. Stay tuned for a future email (likely a few months from now) if you'd like to grab your spot in the program next time!


In good health,
Tara


P.S. While this video is only 14 minutes long, we get a little nerdy with the science. Fair warning. ;-)

FAT LOSS and Meal Timing

Fat loss - when the heck should I eat?


It's a common misconception that we need to be eating a million times a day in order to increase our metabolism and burn more fat.


First of all, let's talk about who is looking to burn more fat? If you are looking to lose weight or even just "tone up"…you're looking to decrease the excess fat you have on your body. 


Watch my latest live video (or just listen - you don't need to see my face) as I get into how to tap into your fat stores to use them up as energy. We're discussing meal timing (when and how often) and we nerd out on what insulin is and the role it plays in fat storage and fat loss. It's a pretty unknown concept to most. Definitely worth the 35 minutes if fat loss is on your agenda!


Here's a quick summary:


1) Insulin is a fat-storage hormone that helps us carry sugar into our cells to use as energy. Whatever we don't use gets stored as fat to use at a later time.


2) If insulin remains elevated, our bodies remain in fat storage mode and do not switch over to fat burning mode.


3) Lowering insulin is what allows us to switch over to fat burning mode. We can lower our insulin by focusing on nutrition upgrades and timing our meals properly (hint: eating every 2 hours will not allow your insulin levels to come down for you to enter fat-burning mode).



Watch or listen to the video for lots more details and for the 3 tips I share at the end so you can get going on your fat loss goals right away!!

In good health,

Tara

P.S. If you’d like a (FREE) 3-day meal plan designed to help you with WHAT to eat and WHEN to eat for healthy fat loss, you can grab that right here! Enjoy!

INTRODUCING - CUSTOM Meal Planning!

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**INTRODUCING** CUSTOM Meal Planning!


I had a colleague reach out to me recently asking for my best business advice. The first thing that came to mind is ABL….Always Be Listening.


Those of you who have been hanging with me for a while know that I believe real change takes a lifestyle upgrade, education, practice, and accountability. That being said, you've also been requesting meal plans from me for a while. ;-) 


I get it! I do. I've seen first-hand how a curated meal plan helps me and my family. It also helps to kick-start results and motivation to continue kicking butt! In fact, someone recently emailed me to tell me she lost 4 pounds on my free, 3-day meal plan! Wow!


So, I have decided to listen to your requests. :-) This service is BRAND NEW and now available to YOU.


What does this entail? The cost is $89 for a 7-day, FULLY CUSTOM plan. After you sign up, I will email you a quick intake form to fill out online that gets me all the info. I need to create this plan for you. Once you've filled out that form, you will have your plan in your hands within 3 business days.


Along with the day-by-day, meal-by-meal plan, I will provide you with a complete grocery list and of course all the recipes!


Pretty exciting, right?


The one pictured above is for someone that wanted just 6 days of a vegan plan. But yours will be 7 days…and doesn't have to be vegan. ;-)


What types of things do I take into consideration when I make this for you?

  • Your goals. Are you looking to lose weight, reduce bloating, balance blood sugar, have some new inspiration in the kitchen…?

  • Your allergies / sensitivities. Dairy free. Gluten free. Nut free….

  • Any particular style you like to eat such as plant-based, paleo, keto, mediterranean.

  • Your likes and dislikes. Hate beets? I won't include any in your plan. Like guacamole? Bring on the Mexican dishes!

  • How many people? I can give you a plan for 1 or make sure the servings can feed a whole soccer team if that's what you need. 

  • Leftovers. Yay or nay? You'll see this sample plan pictured above has lots of grayed-out meals. These are leftovers and help save TONS of time in the kitchen. You may want to include lots of leftovers to maximize time, or you may want something new for each meal. Or something in between. Your call.

  • Cooking time. Do you want fancy meals that may take an hour or more? Or would you like me to stick with things that can be thrown together in 20 minutes or less? You decide.

  • AND MORE… I can adjust your meals and snacks to a certain amount of protein, calories, sodium, etc. if you have very specific needs.


Are you ready to sign up for your first-ever, fully customized meal plan for yourself or your family? I can't wait to help you!



In good health,
Tara

3 NEW things to consider when meal planning

Hey guys,

In my latest live Workshop Wednesday video, I mentioned 3 important things I see so many of my clients skipping when they go about planning their meals out for the week. While almost everyone considers what they have in the kitchen, their budget, what they enjoy eating, and when they’ll be going shopping, these 3 things are often overlooked.

  1. Goals - are you putting together your meals with your ultimate goals in mind? Does the meal plan reflect the types of food your body needs, the amount, the meal timing…?

  2. Schedule - are you a bit overzealous in trying to cook too many new recipes in one single week? What days are busiest? Are you utilizing your leftovers in the best possible way? Leftovers save sooooo much time, money, and stress if done right. ;-)

  3. Other people - who will you be cooking for? Are you making side dishes work for you so that everyone can enjoy the same meal and still be eating according to their body’s needs?

Check out the video for my tips and let me know in the comments…do you meal plan?

In good health,

Tara

P.S. Would you like a FREE meal plan to get you started? I’ve created “The Hangry Women’s 3-Day, Plant Based Meal Plan for Losing Body Fat” and would love to get you your copy!

Meal Plan Sign-Up:

Mac N Cheese Gone Wild

Hey guys,


Did you know it can do that? Me neither, but I thought it was fun to imagine those little dry noodles throwing a funky party inside their box when no one was looking. I hope the 'cheese' packet doesn't feel left out….I digress!


Alrighty, so I'm a realist. And, I'm a busy mama. Between the two, I realize that not everyone is making their own mac n cheese from scratch every time.


You have vowed to eat NO MORE bites of your kids' mac n cheese a million times. You are determined to introduce healthier foods to the family. You're also HUMAN and have a headache just thinking about banning their favorite boxed, yellow-orange pasta product from the house.


No worries! I've got ya covered today. Oh, and if you’re a DIY-homesteading-superwoman (my hat is OFF to you!), make sure you are signed up for my newsletter to get a constant flow of new, tasty, healthy recipes!


Ok, back to the boxed kind…baby steps! There’s no use having an extra reason for your kids to rebel or throw a tantrum. Let’s talk about some smaller steps to consider in order to first healthify your family’s favorite comfort food…

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1) Dare I say it? Swap the box! Before you try to make mac n cheese from scratch, you might get more buy-in from the stakeholders (little humans in your house) if you start by choosing a different boxed variety. Rather than Kraft - which has lots of inflammatory ingredients - try Amy’s organic. They also have a gluten-free and dairy-free option if that fits your family’s needs.

2) Add veggies. This one works best when you do it gradually. You can start by adding some frozen butternut squash cubes into the boiling water with the pasta. The taste is sweet and it will break apart and enhance the color of the cheese sauce. Another great option is peas. These are small and you can start with just a few mixed in to get everyone use to the idea that green things can be expected in their food from now on. ;-)

3) Nutritional yeast. This can be found in most grocery stores or online and adds a cheesy taste to food - perfect for mixing into macaroni and cheese! Not only that, it also adds some protein and vitamin B12.

4) Sliced cherry or grape tomatoes can bolster the nutrition while giving your mac n cheese a “grilled cheese with tomato” feel.

5) Add mashed avocado into the sauce. Heck, use it in place of some of the sauce. More real food = a win! The avocado will add more healthy fats, creaminess, and …a fun color!


With these tips, you can steal a bite of your kiddo’s mac n cheese with a decent chance that you’ll actually have some real food in there!


*Warning: Results may vary. I make no promises that your particular child(ren) will be ok with any or all of these suggestions…but it’s worth a try! Try these steps one at a time for greatest chance of child consumption.


Which one do you think you’ll start with?


In good health,

Tara

The 4 most popular diets...and what they have in common.

Hey all,

So, one of my favorite ways to share wellness tips and strategies is through my weekly, live Workshop Wednesday videos.  My most recent one was about the 4 most popular "lifestyle" diets at this time and what they all have in common.  


Yup, that's right!  There are 3 things you can do right now that will help you get the same health-promoting and weight loss results that people following these top 4 diets are raving about…without a million rules or a list of "good" and "bad" foods! Check out the video right here and start to tackle these today!

In good health,

Tara

What's everyone getting worked up about Keto for? BravoTV feature

Hey all,

Unless you’ve been avoiding all TV, internet, and media of all kind, you’ve probably heard about the very popular “keto” diet (a.k.a. ketosis, ketogenic diet, high fat low carb, HFLC…) What you might’ve noticed, too, is how many people seem to take this diet choice so personally - regardless of which camp they fall into. Check out my latest article feature for BravoTV to read up about what the diet is, what it claims, and why I believe people have such strong feelings about it!

I’d love to hear from you…do you know anyone trying this diet?

In good health,

Tara