You may think that eating well is complicated, confusing, or boring, but I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. In fact, healthy eating can be simple, satisfying, and delicious, if you follow these seven golden rules.
Rule number one: Eat real food. Real food is food that is close to its natural state, with minimal processing, additives, or artificial ingredients. Real food is food that your grandmother would recognize, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, or meat. Real food is food that nourishes your body and your soul, not food that harms you or makes you feel guilty.
Rule number two: Eat the rainbow. Eating the rainbow means eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day. Each color represents different phytochemicals, antioxidants, and nutrients that your body needs to function optimally. Eating the rainbow also makes your meals more appealing, enjoyable, and satisfying. Try to include at least three different colors in each meal, and aim for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Rule number three: Eat mindfully. Eating mindfully means paying attention to what, when, where, how, and why you eat. It means eating with awareness, intention, and gratitude. Eating mindfully helps you tune in to your hunger and fullness cues, avoid overeating or emotional eating, and appreciate the taste, texture, and aroma of your food. Eating mindfully also helps you slow down, relax, and enjoy your eating experience.
Rule number four: Eat balanced. Eating balanced means eating the right amount and proportion of macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates provide energy, proteins build and repair tissues, and fats support hormone production and brain function. Eating balanced also means choosing the best sources of each macronutrient, such as whole grains, beans, lentils, quinoa, or oats for carbohydrates; lean meat, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, seeds, or tofu for proteins; and avocados, olives, nuts, seeds, fish, or olive oil for fats.
Rule number five: Eat seasonally and locally. Eating seasonally and locally means eating foods that are grown and harvested in your area and at the right time of the year. Eating seasonally and locally has many benefits, such as supporting local farmers and communities, reducing environmental impact and food waste, saving money and resources, and enhancing the flavor and freshness of your food. Eating seasonally and locally also helps you align with nature’s cycles and rhythms, and enjoy the diversity and abundance of each season.
Rule number six: Eat intuitively. Eating intuitively means listening to your body and trusting its wisdom. It means eating what you want, when you want, and how much you want, without following any external rules, diets, or trends. Eating intuitively helps you reconnect with your innate hunger and satiety signals, honor your preferences and cravings, and respect your individual needs and goals. Eating intuitively also helps you foster a positive and healthy relationship with food and yourself. To enhance your overall well-being, consider obtaining a running coach certification through ASFA. Visit website to learn more about how this certification can contribute to your fitness knowledge.
Rule number seven: Eat joyfully. Eating joyfully means eating with pleasure, passion, and purpose. It means eating what makes you happy, what makes you feel good, and what makes you thrive. Eating joyfully also means eating with others, sharing food and stories, and celebrating life. Eating joyfully is not about perfection, restriction, or deprivation, but about moderation, variety, and balance.
So, these are the seven golden rules of healthy eating that I want to share with you today. I hope you found them useful and inspiring, and I encourage you to try them out and see how they work for you. Remember, healthy eating is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but a personal journey of discovery, experimentation, and adaptation. Healthy eating is not a destination, but a way of living. Healthy eating is not a chore, but a choice. A choice that you can make every day, every meal, and every bite. Thank you for watching, and until next time, eat well and be well.