When it comes to eating well, there are plenty of options that may seem overwhelming or restrictive. However, the GOLO diet is a way of eating that promotes simple principles for a balanced, healthy diet. The GOLO diet stands for “go local and organic” and focuses on eating fruits and vegetables from local farms when possible, instead of imported produce. This way of eating supports you in making more fruits and veggies the stars of your meals rather than an afterthought or side dish. By doing so, you’ll improve your health, decrease your risk for illness, and feel great about how you look and feel. The GOLO diet isn’t necessarily something that everyone needs to follow for the rest of their lives; rather, it can be adopted as a way of eating that works best for you at this time in your life. Read on to learn more about the benefits, foods, tips, and tricks to get started with the GOLO diet today!


What is the GOLO Diet?

The GOLO diet is a way of eating that focuses on eating fruits and vegetables from local farms when possible, instead of imported produce. This way of eating supports you in making more fruits and veggies the stars of your meals rather than an afterthought or side dish. By doing so, you’ll improve your health, decrease your risk for illness, and feel great about how you look and feel. The term “golo” was originally coined by Michael Pollan in his book, “In Defense of Food”. However, the term has evolved and is now used to describe eating more organic, locally grown produce and foods that are free of pesticides and chemicals.


Health Benefits of the GOLO Diet

The GOLO diet contains each of the foods and nutrients that have been proven to support your health and wellness. By consuming more locally sourced foods and organic produce, you’ll be able to lower your risk for disease, increase your energy levels, and improve your nutrition and overall health. The following are just a few of the many health benefits you can expect from following the GOLO diet. - Improved Nutrition - The GOLO diet has many vitamins and minerals that your body needs for optimal health, including antioxidants, vitamins A and C, iron, and more. Plus, many people who eat processed foods may not be getting the nutrition they need. The GOLO diet, on the other hand, will be packed with all the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function properly. - Disease Prevention - Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you lower your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and more. By following the GOL-O diet, you’ll be able to support your wellness from the inside out and protect yourself against illness and disease. - Better Energy - By eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you’ll be able to improve your energy levels and feel better throughout the day. Additionally, the GOLO diet is low in refined sugars, which can leave you feeling tired, groggy, and irritable. - Weight Loss - Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you to lose weight and be healthier. A diet high in fruits and vegetables is usually lower in calories and fat than a diet that contains fewer fruits and vegetables.


Start with the Basics

When starting out on the GOLO diet, it’s important to first understand the basic principles, including eating whole foods and preparing foods from scratch. This means that you’ll want to eat real, unprocessed foods. When possible, go for the whole, unprocessed versions of fruits and veggies, instead of buying the processed or packaged varieties. This includes foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, and whole grains. Processed foods are generally not good for you, including those that contain added sugars and unhealthy fats. When it comes to eating whole fruits and vegetables, you should try to go for a variety of colors, including oranges, green leafy veggies, red peppers, broccoli, and more. This will help you to get the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Additionally, try to eat whole grains like whole wheat pasta and brown rice, as well as legumes like beans and chickpeas.


Add Healthy Fats and Proteins

When adding healthy fats and proteins to your GOLO diet, go for sources like avocado, nuts and nut butter, seeds, beans, and legumes. When possible, try to choose organic versions of these items to cut out some of the pesticides in your diet. These items will help you to get more healthy fats and protein in your diet and make for great additions to salads, sandwiches, and more. Organic avocados are packed with healthy fats and contain vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, vitamin C, copper, potassium, and more. Plus, they are very versatile, making them a great addition to any dish. For example, you can add them to mashed potatoes, salads, or sandwiches, or use them in recipes like guacamole, salsa, or hummus.

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Add Variety with Legumes and Starchy Veggies

When adding variety to your GOLO diet, try to incorporate legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and beans, as well as starchy veggies like sweet potatoes and peas. Both of these categories of foods are packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that your body needs to thrive. Starchy veggies can be eaten as a side dish or as the base of a meal. For example, you can use potatoes, sweet potatoes, and peas in healthy and delicious meals like soups and stews. Legumes are also great additions to soups and stews, as well as casseroles and salads.


Try an Organic Produce Boost

One way to really boost your GOLO diet is to go for an organic produce boost every once in a while. This means that you’ll purchase mostly organic fruits and veggies, but will also eat some non-organic produce. Organic produce is grown without pesticides, which means that it’s better for your health. Eating produce that is mostly organic will help you to get more vitamins and minerals in your diet while cutting out pesticides and chemicals. It can be a challenge to try to always buy entirely organic produce, but you can make it easier by going for an organic produce boost once or twice a week. Try to purchase organic produce that you eat a lot of, like apples, bananas, bell peppers, broccoli, grapes, lettuce, oranges, and tomatoes.


Conclusion

The GOLO diet is a way of eating that promotes simple principles for a balanced, healthy diet. The GOLO diet stands for “go local and organic” and focuses on eating fruits and vegetables from local farms when possible, instead of imported produce. This way of eating supports you in making more fruits and veggies the stars of your meals rather than an afterthought or side dish. By doing so, you’ll improve your health, decrease your risk for illness, and feel great about how you look and feel.


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