Shaun T – Page 2 – Curtis Strite

There are so many different “diets” out there that it can often be confusing to know what to do, which to follow, and what to believe. There is vegan, vegetarian, raw, Paleo, the Zone, gluten-free…the list goes on and on and on. Even my new show on ABC, “My Diet is Better Than Yours,” highlights different meal plans and styles of eating.
So which one is right? How do you know which one to start and what to choose?
For me, I don’t follow one set diet or plan, except in one area. I have removed gluten from my diet. Gluten has proven to be the one thing that my body cannot tolerate well. Time and time again, gluten leaves me not only bloated but with a stomach ache. No food is worth feeling pain after eating it.
So what exactly is gluten?
Gluten is a substance present in cereal grains–especially wheat–that is responsible for the elastic texture of the dough. A mixture of two proteins, it causes illness in people with celiac disease. However, even if you are not diagnosed with celiac disease, you may find that you are highly intolerant to gluten. This is the case for me and I believe the case for many other people. Since I don’t tolerate it well, I have decided to remove it from my diet. In my opinion, gluten adds no nutritional value or benefit to me, therefore removal of gluten from my diet was a simple decision.
No gluten equals happy tummy!
The removal of gluten has not been a difficult process for me. There are many options out there now that are geared toward this movement. However, I want to caution you that simply buying a product because it is labeled “gluten-free” does not make it healthy. You still need to do your due diligence and read the label.
Part of removing gluten from your life should lead you to the decision to eat more whole foods and fewer processed foods. A gluten-free label isn’t necessary for a sweet potato because it naturally came from the earth! While gluten is naturally occurring in wheat, barley, and rye, it is also used as a thickening agent in most processed foods, so eating whole fruits and veggies is always a way to avoid the allergen.
This is why I was so compelled to start my own food delivery company. I know the struggle is real for those trying to change their eating habits and wanted to be able to provide people with wholesome, organic, natural food that is gluten-free and non-GMO. PrepT Foods is designed to allow people to eat without the fear of confusion about what they are putting in their bodies.
If you decide to remove gluten from your diet, you may begin to wonder: So what do I eat now?
There are still many delicious foods out there for you to eat, so please don’t get stuck in the cycle of buying every product in the store that says “gluten-free” on it. Chemicals are still chemicals, and processed foods are still bad for you, regardless of the presence or absence of gluten.
Eat smart. Be a label reader. The fewer ingredients the better. The fewer chemicals the better. And if you have trouble pronouncing the bulk of the ingredients listed, it’s best to stay away from that product altogether.
You may know that wheat is the main culprit that contains gluten. Here are some other foods or ingredients to avoid of when trying to eliminate gluten from your diet: barley, bulgur, cereal binding, couscous, durum, einkorn, emmer, filler, farro, graham flour, Kamut, malt, malt extract, malt flavoring, malt syrup, rye, semolina, spelt, triticale, wheat, wheat bran, wheat germ, wheat starch, and oats that are not labeled “gluten-free,” because they may have been contaminated by gluten in the field or in the processing plant.
Remember, there is no right or wrong when it comes to eating, only what makes you feel amazing and fuels you to be the best you possible. And, just so you know, I am human, which means that I don’t stick to this rule 100 percent of the time. I believe in following an 85/15 rule…which means 85 percent of the time I eat healthy and gluten-free, and the other 15 percent I eat fun foods that I love but know aren’t always the best for me.
So should you go gluten-free? I don’t know! Only you can decide that. But for me, removing this inflammatory agent from my diet has led me to have less bloat, better digestion, and more energy.

As the new year approaches, one of the top things that people start to think about is their New Year’s resolutions. A lot of these New Year’s resolutions are centered around weight loss, exercising, eating better, and overall health concerns. People get super excited about figuring out what their New Year’s resolution will be, planning for it, and then January 1, putting that plan into action.
Sounds great, right? New year, new you!
As you may or may not know, I am all for encouraging YOU to be the best YOU possible. BUT…I am going to challenge you. I want to challenge you to make only one resolution this year, and that is not to make any resolutions at all.
The word “resolution” is defined as a firm decision to do or not do something. Instead of a resolution, I want you to focus not on the action of not doing something, but on setting goals that you can aim for, plan for, and achieve. The word “goal” is defined as the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result. This new year, instead of focusing on what you won’t do, you are going to make a list of your goals, and then create an action plan to make those goals a reality.
So, how do you go about setting goals for the new year and making sure you don’t abandon those goals?
The first thing I want you to think about is your priorities in life. Make sure that whatever goals you set and put in place line up with your priorities. Then, start thinking about what categories you want to set goals in. Create a financial goal, a health goal, a family and relationship goal, etc. This way you are improving many areas of your life, not just one. But be sure to create a realistic number of goals. You want your goals to push you and stretch you, but by the same token, you don’t want to create so many goals that they are impossible to attain.
Once you have created a list of goals you want to accomplish in 2016, the next step is to create an action plan to ensure that these goals don’t just become words on paper. I highly recommend sharing your goals with someone who can hold you accountable, like a spouse, a colleague, or a friend. Don’t laugh, but we all know a great way to keep yourself accountable is on social media, so don’t be scared to share your list on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or whatever sites you are on, so that your social family can check in on you and your goals and keep you accountable.
Write your goals out somewhere visible where you can see them. You can put them in a note on your phone, post them on your refrigerator, or make your list the screensaver on your computer. This will be a daily reminder of what you are working toward. And as you reach certain goals throughout the year, be sure to celebrate your success and reward your hard work and effort. Sticking to goals and achieving them is something to be proud of.
Did you know that 45 percent of people make New Year’s resolutions each year, and of those, only 8 percent actually stick to them? Don’t let that be you. That is why for 2016 you are going to set goals, create a plan for those goals, and then spend the year striving to achieve them. And when you do, I cannot wait to celebrate with you.
I TRUST AND BELIEVE in who you are, and therefore, I know that you can dream big in 2016 and make it the best year ever.