Healthy Eating Is Human: The Benefits, Difficulties, and Three Things You Can Do

Healthy Eating Is Human: The Benefits, Difficulties, and Three Things You Can Do

If you ask a group of individuals what eating healthy means to them, you will almost certainly receive a different response each time.

For some, healthy eating is cutting down on fast food or eating more fruits and vegetables, while for others, it may include sometimes indulging in a piece of cake without feeling guilty.

Those with specific medical problems or food allergies, on the other hand, may interpret the idea of healthy eating in their own unique manner.

In summary, there is no one correct response to the question of what healthy eating entails.

Healthy eating is human, and as humans, we all have various desires and requirements that influence our dietary choices.

Furthermore, what healthy eating means to you may vary throughout your life as you develop and adapt to your ever-changing requirements.

This post delves into the human aspect of healthy eating, as well as my own go-to suggestions for making it simpler.

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What does healthy eating mean to me?

In the last several years, my concept of healthy eating has shifted many times.
When I was in college, healthy eating meant adhering to dietary standards and doing everything by the book. However, it meant that my perspective on the food on my plate had shifted. I went from seeing foods I liked to seeing just nutrition.

Suddenly, I was looking at complex carbohydrates and plant-based proteins instead of typical Costa Rican Gallo pinto — or rice and beans.

When I first began working as a nutritionist, the idea that a dietician should look a particular way or fit into a certain body type led me to think that healthy eating required measuring my meals so that I knew precisely what I was eating. I would eat anything I pleased as long as the nutrients I need were met.

I provided my body with all it needs to be healthy, but good eating extends beyond nutrition. It’s also about how it makes you feel, and since food is such an important component of culture and social activities, we should enjoy eating.

Today, I take a new approach to eating healthily. I’m much more flexible with my meals now, and I realize that balance is essential for feeling fed and content with food.

Healthy eating today means that I make sure to have food from all food categories on my plate most of the time, without measuring or worrying about plant-based vs. animal-based protein or simple vs. complex carbohydrates.

It also means I can eat a little bit of anything — even sweets, fast food, and desserts — in moderation and without having to measure or account for it.

As you can see, striking the right balance for me did not happen quickly. On the contrary, my concept of healthy eating has evolved as I have progressed through the phases of my life.

You may give healthy eating your own meaning as long as you strive to feed your body and listen to what it needs since healthy eating is for everyone.

SUMMARY

Healthy eating, to me, is about feeding your body while also being at peace with food. As you grow and your goals shift, your notion of healthy eating may evolve.

Looking at the larger picture

Eating healthily, like many other things in life, does not always go as planned.

You may be trapped at work late at night or too exhausted to make a home-cooked meal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t order take-out and enjoy it.

If eating healthy involves being flexible with what you eat, you’ll need to learn to adjust to changing conditions, which may occur more often than not.

When I’m selecting food on the spur of the moment, I attempt to choose the best option from what I’m provided. When possible, I get the closest thing to a home-cooked meal or go for a sandwich, salad, or bowl.

But, every now and then, I have a craving for pizza, so I eat it and love it!

At moments like these, I remind myself to look at the larger picture. That is, healthy eating is characterized not by particular meals but by the decisions we make on a daily basis.

A close friend once told me, “One poor meal will not make you sick, and one excellent meal will not make you well.”

SUMMARY

When it comes to eating healthily, one meal does not determine your habits; rather, it is your total dietary choices that do.

It may be difficult at times. Many individuals believe that eating healthily comes easily to a dietician. We are, however, human beings, and we like dessert and desire meals just like everyone else.

In my situation, one of the most difficult difficulties I’ve had was having to give up most carbohydrate-containing meals in order to treat recurrent illnesses. Carbohydrates may be found in a variety of foods, including grains, starchy vegetables, legumes, fruit, and dairy. They may also be found in processed meals and desserts.

Experts often divide them into two categories based on their fiber content:

Whole grains keep their naturally occurring fiber.

Refined carbohydrates are treated to eliminate fiber and include added sugar.

In principle, I was meant to avoid processed carbohydrates, which some say is the best option.

In reality, though, I gave up all types of processed carbohydrates, including whole wheat bread and pasta, as well as starchy vegetables, cereals, and dairy.

As a result, the only carbohydrate-rich foods I could consume were fruits, oats, quinoa, and legumes – lentils, beans, chickpeas, and edamame.

Some people informed me that as a nutritionist, this move would be easier for me.  However, it took some time for me to adapt to my new eating habits, particularly when it came to preparing on-the-go snacks or dining out.

I discovered that planning and ingenuity are essential for managing my dietary requirements.

SUMMARY

Changing eating habits is difficult for everyone, regardless of the cause.

3 things I do that you could do as well

As I already said, planning and inventiveness assist me in making the greatest meal choices every day. This is because, in my opinion, good eating is a decision we make every time we eat.

As a result, while selecting a meal or snack, I strive to make the decision-making process as simple as feasible. That way, I’ll be able to continue to do what’s best for me.

Here are three things I do on a daily or weekly basis to help me eat properly.

Meal preparation

While it may seem cliche, planning my meals for the week ahead of time works wonders for me. Cooking may be time-consuming, but having food that just has to be cooked and served enables me to have a healthy dinner ready in minutes.

One of my favorite meal-prepping tricks is to prepare a large batch of proteins — typically chicken or similar lean meat — that I can divide and freeze for up to a week and simply thaw as needed.

I also make it a point to prepare veggies for the week. This way, I don’t have to think twice about eating a salad or preparing a side of vegetables with each meal.

To prevent becoming bored and deciding not to eat them, I attempt to cook them in a variety of ways.

For example, when it comes to carrots or zucchini, I’ll slice, dice, grate, or spiralize them, making it easier to integrate them into my meals.

Keep fruit within easy reach.

Having my fruit accessible encourages me to consume it throughout the day.

According to research, you are more inclined to consume whatever items you have around you, whether they are fruits or sweets (2, 3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).

This concept is one I live by every day, and I keep my fruit on show on a table and my snacks and sweets hidden away.

Maintain a routine.

While I don’t have a formal weekly menu, I do have a selection of foods that I serve at every meal.

For example, my breakfast menu typically consists of the following items:

  • Gallo pinto with eggs, a Costa Rican staple
  • Toast with peanut butter and eggs on the side
  • Oatmeal and fruit
  • Pancakes made with oats

The same is true for the rest of my meals and snacks, where I have at least three choices to select from without much thinking.

Having a selection of dishes that I know I enjoy saves me time from having to pick what to eat, and it enables me to change my meals depending on whether I want something sweet or savory.

It’s also extremely easy for grocery shopping since you already know what you’ll be eating at each meal.

SUMMARY

Meal planning, having fruit within arm’s reach, and sticking to a schedule are three things I do to eat healthily that you can do as well.

In conclusion

We are all people who are always evolving and adjusting to change, and our understanding of what constitutes healthy eating is no exception.
In this post, I discussed how my concept of healthy eating has evolved over time, the most difficult obstacle in my healthy eating journey, and my suggestions and techniques for making healthy eating simpler.
However, my approach is not the “right way” — or even the only way — to eat healthily. It’s just what works for me, and it may not work for you.
Healthy eating is a human trait, and it looks different for every one of us. Consider what you might do in your daily routine to help you succeed with healthy eating.
If you’re uncertain where to begin, try consulting with a certified dietitian, who can assist you in conceptualizing a sustainable, healthy eating plan that fits your particular requirements and lifestyle.

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