Can Pinterest Help You Eat a Healthy Diet?

Can Pinterest help people live a healthier lifestyle? Healthy Eats recently posed some questions to author Mitzi Dulan, a registered dietitian.
pinterest diet book

Can Pinterest help people live a healthier lifestyle? That's the premise behind The Pinterest Diet. Healthy Eats recently posed some questions to author Mitzi Dulan, a registered dietitian and team nutritionist for the Kansas City Royals baseball team.

You have nearly 3.8 million Pinterest followers! When did you realize Pinterest was such a powerful tool to help folks lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle?

I realized Pinterest was a powerful tool when I started getting so many repins of recipes and workout plans that I had posted. I was blown away by the number of people who would then go and make the recipes. Some of my pins were original recipes, like my Honey Peanut Butter Protein Energy Ball [recipe below], and some were pinned from other online sources. Now, I'm so excited to photograph my own recipes and hope to inspire others to begin making their own meals and start eating simple, delicious and nutritious food.

In The Pinterest Diet: How to Pin Your Way Thin, you discuss five helpful boards. Can you describe what they are?

Absolutely! Below are my boards with a brief idea of what to include. I include several more ideas in the book.

  1. The MSF (Most Satisfying Foods) Factor Foods Board. This board includes foods that have one or more of the following: protein, fiber and healthy fats. These foods help satisfaction, and that is so important when you are trying to lose weight. Some of the foods that made my Top 50 MSF Factor List include cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, strawberries, pork tenderloin, sardines, salmon, eggs, lean beef, baby carrots, watermelon, oats, avocados and almonds.
  2. Workout Plans Board. It is important to know that this board also acts as a catch-all of my favorite foods, workouts plans, daily inspiration and favorite products. You can find fabulous new workouts, clean, simple, affordable recipes, inspirational quotes and articles on hot topics.
  3. Daily Inspiration Board. I have always been drawn to self-improvement type books on how I could improve myself and be a better friend, mom or wife, businesswoman, etc.  I love trying to challenge myself to constantly do better in many different ways. I know that when I look at my Daily Inspiration Board that I will smile and it will put me in a place of gratitude and positive mindset. It gives me my "mental nutrition."
  4. In-The-Know Board. This board includes all things healthy. For example, you might see a fantastic article online about sleep--pin it to this board. I have a popular pin on this board that shows exactly why different parts of your body need water to function optimally.
  5. Favorite Products Board. On this board, pin your favorite kitchen tools and gadgets. I love this Appetizer Plate Set from Crate & Barrel, so I have them on this list along with a simple Crock Pot 20 ounce Lunch Crock Food Warmer. I'm over the moon when people buy something I suggest and love it.
Another Pinterest Diet rule is to cook at home at least twice a week. What advice would you give someone who doesn’t have time to cook?

Cooking at home can actually save you time and money. I'm all about recipes that are simple, clean, delicious and nutritious. I also believe that if you can make a delicious recipe with five ingredients instead of ten, go for it. When I develop recipes, I try to use as few ingredients as possible. People don’t need to feel intimidated in the kitchen.

The Pinterest Diet begins with a 7-day jumpstart cleanse. How can someone safely cleanse?

To safely cleanse you want to steer clear of all liquid cleanses. Liquid cleanses typically lack protein and are tough on your body, leaving you feeling very hungry and irritated. The Pinterest Diet 7-Day Jumpstart Cleanse is about eating real foods but cutting back the total volume, which reduces calories. It is also about putting clean foods into your body that are as close to nature as possible. You can have either three meals a day or two meals and a smoothie.

Can you share one of your fabulous Pinterest Diet recipes?
Honey Peanut Butter Protein Energy Balls
Makes 2 dozen
1¼ cup old-fashioned oats
3 tablespoons shredded coconut
½ cup sliced almonds, chopped
1 tablespoon hemp seeds, shelled (optional)
1 scoop whey protein powder
½ cup honey
½ cup dried apricots, chopped
½ cup peanut butter
peanut butter balls

In a medium bowl, combine the oats, coconut, almonds, hemp seeds and protein powder. Stir until well distributed. Add the honey, apricots, and peanut butter, and stir all ingredients well. Put mixing bowl into the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes. Then roll into rounded balls. Chill. Will last refrigerated for about 5 days.

Mitzi Dulan, RD, is the author of The Pinterest Diet: How to Pin Your Way Thin. Visit her Pinterest page here.

(Visit Healthy Eats on Pinterest here.)

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. See Toby's full bio»

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