5 nutrition principles I live by
The world of nutrition and health can be a crazy one, especially online.
There is no shortage of information. Everywhere you look, there are YouTube videos, recipe blogs, and Instagram and TikTok accounts. But despite this availability of information, I hear from friends, family, and clients that they continue to feel confused and overwhelmed.
And while nutrition science is complex, incorporating better nutrition into your life doesn’t need to be difficult — and it certainly shouldn’t be stressful!
I’m sharing five principles that guide my approach to nutrition — and that I hope can guide you, too.
Eat a variety of whole foods: Whole foods are foods found in their original form, the way they were grown and picked. These foods include fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, and meat and poultry. They offer nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients and, compared to processed foods, contain no additives. Dried, frozen, and canned varieties of these foods offer the same nutrients and the added convenience of extended shelf life! Beyond the nutrients these foods provide to your body, they also support a healthy microbiome, an important contributor to your overall health.
No foods are off limits: Unless you have an intolerance, allergy, or just don’t like it, there is no reason to exclude any food from your diet 100% of the time. There is space for everything in moderation in a healthy diet. Just as no one food can cure disease, no one food creates it. What matters most is the totality of the foods you consume over the span of your life!
Focus on adding, not taking away: Especially on the internet, so much emphasis is placed on what you should remove from your diet to be healthy. But just as important as what you remove is what you add! You can improve your nutrient intake by adding more nutritious foods to the foods you already eat and enjoy. For example, you can add a serving of fresh vegetables or fruit to your meals and snacks to increase fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Celebrate changing your mind: I don’t hold the same nutrition beliefs that I did two, three, or four years ago. Nutrition is an evolving science, and new research is always being published — some of which contradicts previous research! Instead of feeling ashamed when we change our mind about something we previously believed, we should feel proud of our growth. Staying open minded and receptive to new information is what moves us forward.
Nutrition is powerful, but it’s not everything: I believe in the power of nutrition and that it can help prevent, manage, and treat certain diseases and conditions. But I also believe that health is more than just nutrition. Good health also requires stress management, quality sleep, regular physical activity, positive relationships, and a positive mindset.
Keep these principles in mind as you navigate your health journey. Which one resonates most with you?
