Trim Healthy Mama on a Whole Foods Diet

Trim Healthy Mama on a Whole Foods Diet

There is some criticism in the whole foods world about Trim Healthy Mama. I’d like to take the time to debunk the myth that Trim Healthy Mama can’t be included in a whole food’s lifestyle.

What is Trim Healthy Mama?

The Trim Healthy Mama (THM) diet is a lifestyle approach to eating developed by sisters Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison. It is based on the premise of separating fuels, where meals are designed to focus on either carbohydrates or fats, but not both together, to optimize metabolism and promote weight loss.

Here’s an overview of the key principles of the Trim Healthy Mama diet:

1. Separate Fuels: Meals are categorized into different fuel types: S meals (satisfying, focused on healthy fats and protein), E meals (energizing, focused on healthy carbs and lean protein), and FP meals (fuel pull, low in both carbs and fats). The idea is to consume meals that are either high in healthy fats and protein or high in healthy carbohydrates, but not a combination of both in the same meal.
2. Healthy, Whole Foods: The THM diet emphasizes the consumption of whole, nutrient-dense foods, including lean proteins, healthy fats, non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and complex carbohydrates. Processed foods, refined sugars, and artificial ingredients are generally discouraged.
3. Portion Control: While the THM diet does not require strict calorie counting, portion control is encouraged to help manage overall calorie intake. The focus is on eating until satisfied rather than overly restricting portion sizes.
4. Regular Meals and Snacks: Eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day is encouraged to keep blood sugar levels stable and prevent overeating. This includes incorporating healthy snacks between meals to maintain energy levels and prevent cravings.
5. Hydration: Adequate hydration is emphasized as an essential aspect of the THM lifestyle. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is encouraged to support overall health and well-being.
6. Exercise and Movement: While not a central focus of the THM diet, regular exercise and physical activity are encouraged for overall health and weight management. Incorporating a variety of activities, such as strength training, cardio, and flexibility exercises, is recommended.
7. Individualized Approach: The THM diet emphasizes listening to your body and making choices that align with your own unique health goals and preferences. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach and can be adapted to suit different dietary needs and preferences.

Overall, the Trim Healthy Mama diet promotes a balanced approach to eating, focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods and mindful eating practices to support weight loss, metabolism, and overall health. While I’m not currently following the THM diet, I share a lot of low carb and keto friendly recipes now that would fit into their “S” meals.

Supporting Healthy Mamas

One thing I like about  Trim Healthy Mama is that it meets you where you are. In the opening, The Trim Healthy Mama book describes different types of women and how their lifestyles are compromising their waistline: from a Drive Through Sue to a Farm Fresh Tess, or a Whole Food’s purist. All these women need help in losing weight, and have different pathways to become a healthier version of themselves. 

Trim Healthy Mama encourages all types of women to strive for health. 

Most people in our culture need to reduce their intake a sugar and quick burning carbs that spike their blood sugar. Trim Healthy Mama has tips and recipes to help stabilize your blood sugar while keeping the food tasty and allowing for a plan you can stick to. Trim Healthy Mama also is great for revving up your metabolism at any age. Which all women want to know how to achieve this. 

From a whole foods perspective, Trim Healthy Mama allows you to be as much of a purist (as Serene, one sister/author) would be or as relaxed (as Pearl, the other sister/author) would be in the kitchen. I can identify with Serene more, but have allowed myself to relax and not be a whole food Nazi when it just isn’t possible (and I don’t beat myself up about it anymore either).

I like that Trim Healthy Mama encourages people to cook recipes at home and think about what they are eating. New Trim Healthy Mams are reading ingredients and finding out there are ingredients in their favorite foods that are just not healthy.    

Trim Healthy Mama is great for the average woman seeking to make a doable baby step into a healthier lifestyle. This makes it easy to share with your friends who may not be as purist as a whole foodie may be… but it is healthier than they were eating – which is great progress! There are so many truths in this book. I don’t think it is right for a purist to throw the baby out with the bath water when this book may be the first step into a whole food lifestyle for someone.

My whole food journey started with reading books. I read The Maker’s Diet: The 40-day health experience that will change your life forever first and then followed with  Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats. I recommend both of these books for people seeking to move into Whole Foods cooking and living. However, some people are just looking for that book that will teach them enough without overwhelming them. Trim Healthy Mama is good for sugar detox and weight loss. 

Coming from a whole food lifestyle there were some foods that I had to warm up to, but Serene does a great job explaining her rational for including them even in a purist diet. You can check out more information in the Trim Healthy Mama facebook group and get more guidance from other purists/whole food eaters there. 

Ultimately, you can follow Trim Healthy Mama and be on a Whole foods diet – Just keep your carbs and your fat separate. 

The foods that you eat are your choice. You can make the decision to continue a whole food diet and get the best quality butter, meats, and organic vegetables just adding in the knowledge of keeping certain foods separate to aid in weight loss and a high metabolism.  

Are you a whole foods purist or a drive through Sue? Have you tried Trim Healthy Mama? What are your thoughts? Leave me a comment!

Check out my review of Trim Healthy Mama!

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