“Eating well is a form of self respect.”
When people think about eating ‘healthy’ they often think of puny portions, skimpy salads, fat-free fake bars and sugar-free ice cream for dessert… NO thank you! When I think about eating well, I totally believe that you should eat BETTER, not LESS! Healthy foods are actually naturally low in calories and high in nutrition. And they’re often pretty darn delicious.
Sure, a frozen diet dinner may be more convenient than a kale salad with creamy avocado, grilled chicken breast, a sweet potato, and fresh fruit for dessert- but which do YOU think is more satisfying and nourishing?? Whether you’re currently doing Whole 30, eating a more plant-based diet, or simply looking to nourish your body and feel better, here they are:
My Top 5 Tips for Eating Healthier
- Eat BREAKFAST- Start your day by fueling your body. A friend of mine eats breakfast at 6am because he works early while another does intermittent fasting and eats her first meal at 1pm!! Whatever time you prefer to start your day, make sure to start on a nourishing note. Think stovetop oats with fresh fruit and nut butter (my fave!), avocado-egg-on-toast, or even yogurt (coconut milk for us dairy free people) with homemade granola!
- Eat REAL- Make sure the bulk of your diet consists of real fresh veggies and fruit. If you simply commit to eating fresh fruit at every meal and veggies at lunch and dinner, you’ll actually find that you start to CRAVE them. I kid you not! I crave spinach, carrots, and celery. Eating them when I’m hungry has retrained my body and my brain and now I crave them whenever my tummy gets grumbly.
- Eat ENOUGH- Another thing I don’t like about processed foods? You’re stuck eating small portions in order to keep down your fat and calorie counts. But when you eat REAL, you can eat A LOT! Think BIG salads with all sorts of fresh and roasted veggies, nourishing bowls of oats, and lots of fresh fruits. Enjoy foods that come directly from the earth… and not from a box or a can.
- Eat HEALTHY ADDITIONS- Skip the processed, corn syrupy oily, dressing and opt for REAL ingredients! Condiments can really pack on the fat! I LOVE to use salsa as a dressing, mustard instead of sauce, and creamy avocado on almost anything! I season my food with fresh and dried spices and a dash of high quality sea salt instead of processed sauces.
- Eat BALANCED- Balance is key! Stick with healthy options and make sure to strike a balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Specific nutrition requirements may vary from person to person, but any diet that tells you to cut out certain food groups (or severely limit them) really isn’t sustainable OR enjoyable.
Those are my TOP TIPS to eating better! How about YOU? What’s a healthy suggestion YOU love to share?
8 Comments
One of my top tips is to ALWAYS pack food for work (or when i was in school too). The only day i let myself buy lunch is on a Friday! otherwise i would just eat wayyy to unhealthy.
July 19, 2016 at 7:22 pmyour meals look great girl!
That’s such a great tip girl! Nothing like a healthy homemade lunch to look forward to (saves lots of $ too!!) And thanks so much!
July 27, 2016 at 9:31 pmI don’t understand how some people can skip breakfast–it’s my favorite meal of the day AND the time when I’m the hungriest!
I also think that food prepping is super important. I have to be up at 6am every day and out the door by 7, and I know if I don’t pack my lunch the night before that it will probably end up being an energy bar, chips, and very few veggies. Which is okay upon occasion, but it doesn’t leave me feeling as good as a chicken salad and sweet potato or a hearty bowl of vegetable soup does!
July 20, 2016 at 2:40 pmYes! I completely agree with you Claire. I always feel SO much better with a REAL meal (as opposed to a meal of snacks)… and like you said those are totally fine on occasion, but nothing beats a good hearty meal (PS yours sound AMAZING)!
July 27, 2016 at 9:30 pmAwesome tips! I’m with you on loving to eat REAL food! 🙂
July 20, 2016 at 4:48 pmThanks Rach! REAL food is the best food!! <3
July 27, 2016 at 9:28 pmI am so with you on all of these tips! For me, healthy eating is all about REAL food – and it’s all about balance too! Sure I loveeeeeeee vegetables and can eat a bowl full of veggies or salad that’s bigger than my stomach, however, I also love chocolate and cupcakes and things that make my soul happy 😉
July 21, 2016 at 2:05 amYES YES YES!! Wise words Kristy! It really is all about balance! Just like you, I love my massive veggie salads, but I also love my chocolate every evening!! Hello healthy balance 🙂
July 27, 2016 at 9:09 pm