Z. Johnson
Learning how to eat correctly doesn’t have to be restrictive as it may seem. Doing a diet has become more popular, especially these days. There is so much information and perspectives about the proper way to nourish our body, that some people may become overwhelmed. However, to diet or to eat right can have different connotations. Do you know the difference? Let me explain my perspective as a nutritionist, and how you should embrace this concept.
To diet is a matter of food choices
Typically, when we think of diet, our mind tends to immediately scratch certain foods. The worst part, is drastically eliminating food groups. Modern diet trends motivate people to take out some of the essential nutrients from foods, in order to “burn fat” or loose weight”. Our body needs all the food groups to function properly: mainly carbs, protein and fat. Vitamins and minerals can be found in most of the foods we consume daily. Whenever you aim for a specific health goal, think twice before getting rid of food groups.
It is the food choices that matter the most when eating healthy. Within all the food groups, you can find a vast majority of options. You just need to focus on the ones that give you the most nutritional value.
Switch up the carb foods
As I explained in my article earlier, you want to choose the “complex” ones. Plus, some of these food sources,like quinoa, whole grains, contain tons of fiber. With that being said, you want to minimize the amount of sugar, pastry and processed foods.
Add more fruits and veggies in your diet
Adding more fruits and veggies will help you stay in shape, aid your digestion and give you many vitamins and minerals. The great thing about this food group is you can snack on them, and make you feel full. Need energy? these are the main fuel.
You can also take advantage of superblends or superfood smoothies. These foods are packed with so much nutrition value and benefits, that you won’t want to miss including these in your healthy eating regimen. I tried Splendid Spoon superblends, and I love that they have superfoods, are fully plant-based and help boost your metabolism. You can easily have them for a quick meal replacement, post-workout smoothie, or simply as a complete snack. These smoothies are perfect for busy people, who are always on-the-go. Splendid spoon offers many flavors and bundles, plus deliver right to your door. Get 15% off here.
Prioritize protein foods
You want to add more of these to your eating regimen, as they are essential for your muscles, hormones, brain function, movement, skin, etc… They are literally your body’s backbone! In terms of eating, protein foods also make you feel more full. These are packed of additional nutrients, great vitamins and minerals. Some excellent food sources you want to choose are dairies like yogurt, eggs, lean meat, chicken or poultry, seafood like fish (salmon, rich in omega-3).
Include enough fats
Basically, opting for vegetable oils instead of saturated fats should be the goal. For example, switch the mayonnaise for some peanut butter. This could be an occasional option. You should also look for sources like soy, olive and canola oils for cooking. Olive oil is my favorite advice for dressing your salads. Nuts, such as almonds, are also a great source of “good fats” like omega-3 and vitamin E.
Adding vitamin supplements to your healthy eating regimen will ensure you’re getting all the essential nutrients for your body and that your metabolism is in check. I am currently taking Whole Food Women’s Multivitamin, from the Vitamin Shoppe. This is one of my favorite natural metabolism and immune system boosters. You can get Whole Food Women’s Multivitamin at 10% discount here.
Balance and moderation are keys
This is a mindset you should always have when eating healthy. It’s not about doing “trending” diets”. There is proof by scientists, that doing a “popular” diet, without proper guidance, may harm your health. Also, we’ve seen that these diets have short term effects. For those reasons, you should aim for a balanced eating lifestyle that includes all different types of foods, in the right proportions. Abiding by this rule will ensure you will develop a sustainable habit, thus, having long term results.
Reading food labels is another healthy practice that will save us getting the wrong types of foods. With this, we will be able to determine the amount of calories, nutrients the package has, and assess whether we are having good proportions.
To eat right also means to “delight”
Eating is also related to the feeling of happiness and wellness. Who doesn’t like to eat? Therefore, you should relax and not stress about food. You should be able to enjoy food in its many forms and varieties. Eating right doesn’t have to be boring nor tasteless. In fact, in my article about healthy smoothies, I emphasize on the tons of creative ways to increase more fruits and veggies in your diet. Basically, you have control over what you eat, how you prepare your food and how it tastes.
Setting your mindset and goals
This is one of the most important steps towards achieving a healthy eating regimen. You must take into consideration, your lifestyle and eating habits. If you are always on-the-go, like most people, you may want to consider meal prepping. For me, this has been the most effective way to save time, plan your meals and ensure you get what you need. Whether you want to lose weight, or simply be healthier, your eating lifestyle must be aligned with your goals.
Focus on your tastes, your dislikes, and what you want to achieve. Your mindset should be to aim for long term results, not quick fixes. Many people mistakenly fall into the gimmicks, due to stressing to get fast visible results. Remember that the most effective eating methods revolve around creating habits. That’s why I usually don’t use the word “diet”, but focus on eating right.
Finding motivation to healthy eating
Being motivated can truly be hard at times. This is especially true when we are aiming for a specific goal such as losing weight. However, the more consistent you are with making mindful food choices, the easier it will eventually become for you to create a healthy lifestyle.
Did you know that a good cup of coffee full of adaptogens can also boost your energy? I’ve had Krios Coffee Brilliance Blend. This is my top choice, since it boosts your energy without the negative side effects of caffeine. Also, I recommend this coffee because it’s infused with vitamins and adaptogens (natural superfood blends), which enhance your focus and memory. Other benefits include:
- Stress and anxiety relief
- Immune system boosters
- No jitters no energy crash
Be mindful of “diet”
Also, bear in mind, that it is ok to enjoy all types of foods. The most important part is developing a conscience of planning your meals, avoiding processed foods as much as possible, and making use of natural high value foods.
Find company if you want to diet
Another aspect that helps, is finding company from your loved ones. Share more family moments, eat more together, let them know your goals, so you can find enough support. If at some point you feel stucked or guilty, remember to just focus on the lifetime habit and not just what’s happening now.
Be careful with comparison
It is good to have some sort of inspiration from others we know who are healthier. However, you want to focus on “real people” and not those who you may see on ads or social media. This is because not everything you see is as it shows. Additionally, bear in mind that everybody is different. Your body is not the same as your neighbor’s, so remember that we all go through different health stages. Focus on your own progress, where you are right now and where you want to be in the future.
A final word…
You already know the difference between doing a diet and eating right. Real lasting results are better achieved when we learn how to eat correctly. Diet should not cause any alarm or stress in your life. But, since there are so many unbalanced eating trends now, I would rather limit the word diet from the vocabulary. Aim for a healthy eating lifestyle and you’ll see the difference!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.
