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In short, there is no single definition of healthy eating.<\/p>\n
Healthy eating is human, and human wants and needs affect our food choices.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, as you grow and adapt to your changing needs, your definition of healthy eating may change as well.<\/p>\n
This article explores the human side of healthy eating and offers my own personal tips.<\/p>\n
What eating well means to me<\/h2>\n
In recent years, my definition of healthy eating has shifted.<\/p>\n
By college, healthy eating meant following dietary rules and doing everything by the book. But it meant I had a new perspective on my food. I went from enjoying meals to seeing only nutrients.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, I saw complex carbs and plant-based proteins instead of traditional Costa Rican gallo pinto (rice and beans).<\/p>\n
The idea that a dietitian should look a certain way or fit into a certain body type led me to believe that healthy eating meant measuring my food. I would eat whatever I wanted as long as I got the nutrients I needed.<\/p>\n
My body got all the nutrients it needed, but healthy eating goes beyond that. Eating should be enjoyable, as it is an essential part of culture and social events.<\/p>\n
A new approach to healthy eating today. And I know that balance is key to being nourished and happy with food.<\/p>\n
Food from all food groups is now on my plate, without measuring or thinking about plant-based versus animal-based protein, or simple versus complex carbs.<\/p>\n
It also means I can enjoy a little bit of everything \u2014 including sweets, fast food, and desserts \u2014 without measuring or accounting for it.<\/p>\n
As you can see, achieving my ideal balance took time. Rather, my definition of healthy eating has evolved over time.<\/p>\n
Healthy eating is for everyone as long as you aim to nourish your body and pay attention to its needs.<\/p>\n
SYNOPSIS<\/strong><\/p>\n Healthy eating means nourishing your body while also being at peace with food. Over time, your priorities and definition of healthy eating may shift.<\/p>\n Eating healthy isn’t always as easy as you think.<\/p>\n You may be stuck at work late at night or too tired to cook, but that doesn’t mean you can’t order take-out and enjoy it.<\/p>\n Being flexible with what you eat is part of being healthy.<\/p>\n When I’m choosing food on the spur of the moment, I try to pick the best option available. Whenever possible, I order a home-cooked meal or a sandwich, salad, or bowl.<\/p>\n But sometimes I crave pizza, so I eat it and enjoy it!<\/p>\n This is when I remember the bigger picture. That is, healthy eating is defined by daily choices, not by single meals.<\/p>\n “One bad meal will not make you sick, nor will one good meal make you healthy,” a friend once told me.<\/p>\n SYNOPSIS<\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to healthy eating, your overall food choices define your habits. It’s not always easy.<\/p>\n Many people assume that being a dietitian means eating healthy naturally. But, like everyone else, we love desserts and crave food.<\/p>\n In my case, I had to give up most carb-containing foods to manage recurring infections.<\/p>\n Carbs are found in grains, starchy vegetables, legumes, fruit, and dairy. They’re in processed foods and desserts.<\/p>\n Experts often divide them into two categories based on fiber content:<\/p>\n Whole grains keep their natural fibers.<\/p>\n Refined carbs are devoid of fiber and loaded with sugar.<\/p>\n Theoretically, I was supposed to avoid refined carbs, which some would argue is the best option.<\/p>\n In reality, I had to give up all processed carbs, including whole wheat bread and pasta, starchy vegetables, grains, and dairy products.<\/p>\n So I could only eat fruits, oats, quinoa, and legumes (lentils, beans, chickpeas, and edamame).<\/p>\n Some people told me that as a dietitian, this transition would be easier. Notably, when it came to planning on-the-go snacks or eating out.<\/p>\n Managing my nutritional needs requires organization and creativity.<\/p>\n SYNOPSIS<\/strong><\/p>\n Changing eating habits is difficult for anyone.<\/p>\n Organisation and creativity help me make good food choices every day. For me, healthy eating is a choice we make every time we eat.<\/p>\n So I try to make choosing a meal or snack as simple as possible. So I can keep doing what I want.<\/p>\n Here are three things I do daily or weekly to help me eat healthier.<\/p>\n Preparing my food for the week ahead of time works wonders.<\/p>\n Food that only needs to be heated and served allows me to prepare a nutritious meal in minutes.<\/p>\n One of my favorite meal-prepping tricks is to cook a large batch of proteins that I can freeze for over a week and defrost as needed.<\/p>\n I also prep veggies for the week. So I don’t hesitate to have a salad or cook a veggie side dish with every meal.<\/p>\n To avoid boredom and not eating them, I prepare them in various ways.<\/p>\n For example, I slice, dice, grate, or spiralize carrots and zucchinis to easily incorporate them into my meals.<\/p>\n It visually reminds me to eat fruit throughout the day.<\/p>\n Studies show that you eat more of whatever foods you keep nearby, whether they are fruits or sweets.<\/p>\n I live by this rule and keep my fruit on a table and my snacks and sweets hidden.<\/p>\n While I don’t have a weekly menu planned, I do have a set of dishes that I serve at every meal.<\/p>\n For example, my breakfast options are:<\/p>\n a classic gallo pinto and eggs<\/p>\n Similarly, for my other meals and snacks, I have at least three options to choose from without much thought.<\/p>\n Having a predetermined set of dishes that I enjoy saves me time and allows me to customize my meals based on my mood.<\/p>\n It also makes grocery shopping easier because you know what you’ll be eating at each meal.<\/p>\n SYNOPSIS<\/strong><\/p>\n Meal prepping, having fruit on hand, and having a routine are three things I do to eat healthy.<\/p>\n As humans, we are always evolving and changing, and so is our concept of healthy eating.<\/p>\n I discussed how my definition of healthy eating has evolved over time, my biggest challenge in my healthy eating journey, and my healthy eating hacks.<\/p>\n But my way isn’t the only or even the “right” way to eat healthy. It may or may not work for you.<\/p>\n Healthy eating is individual and looks different for each of us. Consider what you can do in your daily routine to support healthy eating.<\/p>\n If you’re unsure where to start, a registered dietitian can help you develop a sustainable, nutritious eating plan that fits your needs and lifestyle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The answer to this question varies from person to person. A healthy diet may mean giving up fast food or eating more fruits and vegetables, but it may also mean enjoying a piece of cake without guilt. Those with medical conditions or food allergies may conceptualize healthy eating in their own way. In short, there […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":16366,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2632,7410,5606],"class_list":{"0":"post-15774","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"tag-fruits","9":"tag-healthy-eating","10":"tag-vegetables"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lavyon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lavyon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lavyon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lavyon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lavyon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lavyon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15774\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lavyon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16366"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lavyon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lavyon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lavyon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The bigger picture<\/h2>\n
It can be difficult at times.<\/h2>\n
3 things you could do too.<\/h2>\n
Preparing Food<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Keep fruit close by<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Keep a routine<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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In summary,<\/h2>\n