Being a mom is a lot of work. (Read that again because it deserves to be said twice). Balancing work, kids, housework, and relationships doesn’t leave much room for self-care. While we’re busy taking care of everyone and everything else, it’s easy to forget about ourselves.
One aspect of self-care is putting nourishing foods in our bodies. That’s why I want to share with you today…
The Biggest Mistake People Make When Trying to Eat Healthy
It’s quite simple. They overcomplicate it. And when we complicate things it makes it harder to be consistent.
While the study of nutrition is complex, the application of it can be broken down for you. Simply put, a consistent routine, even if it’s far from ideal, will provide you with a better result than inconsistently following an ideal or complicated routine.
Here’s some simple uncomplicated nutrition advice to help you eat healthy.
Eat food.
Not too much, not too little, heavy on the plants, and, most importantly, enjoy all of it. Now, let’s get a little more detailed, but still not complicated.
- Eat a variety of foods.
Think colorful. The more color in your diet, the more nutritional variety you’re eating. I’m not referring to artificial colors either. Also, think about getting different types of foods. Familiarize yourself with which foods have proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Aim for a mix of these 3 macronutrients.
- Emphasize plant-based.
I’m not suggesting you become vegan, unless you want to of course. I am, however, suggesting that consuming more plants and less meat is helpful for many reasons. Studies continue to show that eating plant-based foods leads to better health outcomes and increased healthy biomarkers.
- Focus on whole foods.
We live in a world of convenience, which results in a world of processed foods that retain a long shelf-life. Whole foods are foods as they are. Think whole fruits and veggies, raw nuts and seeds, eggs, fish, meat, and poultry without added ingredients. Minimally processed foods are foods changed slightly, like peanut butter and cheese. Highly processed foods are any foods given a shelf life with a plethora of added ingredients, besides the actual thing you’re eating.
You certainly don’t have to give up convenience though. There is a wide range of minimally processed foods that make meal prep saner and get the green light from nutritionists.
- Enjoy your food.
Being mindful of the food you’re eating and slowing down a bit will help you enjoy it. But beyond pleasure, taking time to enjoy your meals can help with digestion, stress reduction, and better regulation of hunger and satiety.
- Listen to your body.
Intuitive eating is a total game-changer. It is truly liberating to learn how to eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full, and let your body guide you on what to eat. This is especially true if you have been off and on diets for most of your life.
- Honor individuality.
You are you and no one else. Your days do not look like anyone else’s, your body is not anyone else’s, and your neighbor’s diet is never going to work for you because you aren’t the same. Understanding this will help you cater your diet to your individual lifestyle and not feel defeated if it takes you a while to figure out what routine is going to work for you.
Real talk: Perfection doesn’t exist. Consistency, however, does, and that is most important to attaining your goals. Fancy meal plans in mason jars may look pretty on Instagram, but the cold hard truth is trying too hard will likely end in failure. Being realistic with yourself about what you need and how you can make sure to do it every day will guide you to a healthy relationship with food.
