Giada's Feel Good Food (2 page)

Another key to my lifestyle is that I eat many times over the course of a day. While breakfast is absolutely the most important meal of the day, you can forget that old rule about not snacking between meals. Five smaller meals a day are so much better for you; they are easier for you to digest than three big ones, which makes for a happy metabolism! Instead of the highs and lows and feeling like you're starved or stuffed, you stay much more even-keeled throughout the day. Your body adapts to this routine and begins to work much more efficiently. This will become part of your schedule, and to help you get there, this book has great grab-and-go snack recipes. You can make them ahead and then stash them in your bag for a midmorning or afternoon pick-me-up (see the chapter on
Snacks
).

Portions: You have to pay attention to them. A steak the size of your head is not a single portion. Many people don't know what a real serving size is because it is not what we were taught
growing up (though thankfully that is changing!). Four ounces of protein—meat, fish, or tofu, for example—is the equivalent of your palm (your hand minus the fingers) and about the same thickness, too; it's a good guide to aim for.

Vegetables, legumes, and fruits—all packed with fiber—make up the majority of what I eat. When I want pasta (which is often!), I usually tend to have it at lunch so I have more time to use its fuel during the day. At dinnertime, I pack in a little more protein to hold me until morning and I always make sure to give myself plenty of time to digest before I go to bed; I aim for three hours or so before falling asleep.

After I've been traveling a lot—and especially if eating the way I prefer to has been challenging on a trip—I turn to juices and smoothies to help rewire my body, kick jet lag, and get myself back into my routine. I've dedicated a whole chapter in this book to juices and smoothies because they taste amazing and are great almost any time of day. I love how you can pick a flavor to match what you're craving, whether it is something sweet or something green—or maybe both! If I'm feeling truly lethargic, I might even go on a
juice cleanse
for up to a couple of days.

Here's another revelation: I will never be a gym person. I am just not a runner. The idea of being strapped to a treadmill every day is my worst nightmare … and that's okay! I like walks along the beach and my morning yoga, both of which keep me centered and happy. Todd and I also love to paddle-board out on the ocean together. You definitely have to use your core muscles to stay on the board! Exercise is important, but I also think it is important that you enjoy it. Exercise keeps your energy flowing and the blood
circulating; it stokes the inner fire. But, I truly believe that great health starts with what you put in your mouth.

Because of that, you'll notice that this is the first cookbook of mine where you'll find a nutritional breakdown for each recipe. While personally I do not count calories or carbs, I know that many people do and find it helpful—and I want to open up these recipes to as many people as possible. Some dishes have more or fewer calories—or grams of fat or milligrams of sodium; I believe in overall balance. It's all about finding what works for you and sticking to it—and knowing what is actually in what you are eating is a great start. You'll also see that I've called out vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free recipes. I wanted to give you many alternatives to cook meals that make you and your family feel good.

Everyone is different. Genetics made me short and small-boned. But it's not about how much you weigh or if you look as thin as someone else; it's about looking in the mirror and loving yourself. Having more energy and fewer ups and downs is half the battle in my world. I feel stable and can give my full attention to everyone and everything in my life: my daughter, my husband, my friends, my work, and myself.

Above all, give your body a bit more attention; plan your meals a little better, and your body will reward you tenfold. I promise you will smile more and you will enjoy life more because you will feel better!

This is what works for me. I hope it helps you find what works for you.

This menu shows you how to mix and match recipes in this book for a month of fabulous food. It's an example of delicious possibilities—ways to add flavor and variety to each day—but it is not something to be followed to the letter by everyone. You should customize this framework to meet your individual calorie and nutrient needs, adding appropriate foods as desired.