Healthy Food Tips

I am by no means a nutritionist. However, I have seen one for roughly two years now and have researched health and food extensively over the past few years. Here are some tips I have picked up along the way.

• Eat lots of whole plant foods.
• Eat whole grains, like brown rice, quinoa, and oats.
• Stay hydrated. Shoot for at least eight cups of water each day.
• Limit unhealthy fat intake. Some fats are good (e.g., avocados, nuts, etc.) and some not so much.
• Avoid packaged foods. The best option is to make your own food!
• Keep an eye on portion sizes but listen to your body. Eat as much as you need to feel satisfied and energized. 
• Have breakfast within an hour of waking up.
• Stop eating about three hours before bed.
• Snack if you're truly hungry but try avoid snacking out of boredom or other emotions.
• Try to be a mindful eater. Don't multitask when it comes to food: enjoy your experience and absorb the tastes and sensations that come along with delicious, healthy foods.
• Don't stress. As important as it is to be healthy, don't stress about food. Don't break foods down in nutrients (e.g., calories, carbs, protein, fats, etc.). Health isn't about how many calories you eat or how many carbs you consume; it's about eating plenty of whole plant foods and feeding your body food that will energize it and leave you feeling great.

*Side Note: If you fear that you or someone you know is at risk of an eating disorder (which can be any sort of dangerous eating, ranging from anorexia to bulimia to binge eating disorder and anything in between), please, please call the National Eating Disorder Association's confidential helpline at 1-800-931-2237. Also, talk to someone you trust and try to seek medical assistance. There is nothing to be ashamed of. You are so much stronger than you ever believe.