One of the most convoluted hot topics out there is what the heck to eat to be in optimal health; to be lean and strong, support a healthy immune system and simply to feel good! I am not talking about what to eat to be a bodybuilder, but how to decrease bloat, improve digestion, negate headaches/belly aches, better your skin and achieve optimal sleep.
There are so many diets and even ways of life, such as vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian and the list goes on, all claiming to be beneficial for certain reasons. Which one is the best?
There isn’t a singular answer. There are elements you can take from any diet and incorporate into your daily life. It’s also not realistic to say you’re going to completely eliminate certain foods for the rest of your life. I have tried and failed numerous times.
That’s why I found balance to be so important. Here are 5 simple things to know about achieving balance for healthy eating:
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Make fruit and vegetables the majority of your diet along with whole grains, legumes, seeds and some nuts. Fruits and vegetables are a commonality across most dietary theories.
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Lean protien... in moderation. Lean chicken, turkey and fish are good proteins as well but should not crowd your plate.
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Cut down on processed foods (lunch meat, cereal bars, microwavable meals, snacks loaded with sugar or sugar alcohols, chips, etc.). All of these food items slow down absorption and what little nutrients they carry are laden with chemicals and additives that disrupt normal cellular process.
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Watch your portions. Smaller portions aid in efficient digestion and negate excess fat storage. For example, instead of eating a whole sandwich, eat half and pair it with a piece of fruit or small salad.
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Eat organic. As you add inmore fruits and vegetables, you might be wondering how much needs to be organic. The answer is as much as possible. For more about why that is and how chemicals disrupt normal functioning and increase risk of cancer, check out this post on “Embracing the Dirty Dozen: Why Eating Organic Matters.”
I am like anyone else and I crave bread products, sugar, cheese and white wine more often than I should. I was a true supporter of “I workout so I can eat whatever I want.”
But you will never see any results from your hard work at the gym with that mindset, and your body will likely be nutrient deficient. Science proves eating fruits and vegetables ward off disease, support digestive function for regularity, and provide antioxidants to promote healthy cellular function. This means better skin and more restful sleep. With the right mentality and knowledge, you can even get all your vitamins and minerals through food, without needing to supplement with pills.
The balance here is to enjoy things in moderation and watch your portions! In an effort to remove the word diet from your vocabulary, keep these tips top of mind when you are eating, grocery shopping or grabbing your morning coffee.
