Everything in moderation is one of those catchy phrases that’s thrown around a lot, but I’ve come to really believe it in regards to a diet. I can put together the most detailed plan for a healthy way of eating, but if it basically says I will have to give up Doritos for the rest of my life, I can tell you right now that I won’t stay on that plan, in fact I might not even get started out of the sheer terror of giving up those deliciously cheesy triangles! All joking aside, I don’t think there should be any foods that are indefinitely “off limits” in your diet. Does that mean I’m going to eat Doritos every day, or even every week, no absolutely not, but will I have a handful or two at my next family birthday party, yes I probably will. But will I also eat generous amounts of vegetables at most of my meals, and try to balance them with healthy amounts of proteins, carbs, and fats? Also yes!
Eating in a healthful way for our bodies is all about balance and eating mindfully. Asking yourself questions like, “Am I eating because my body is actually telling me I’m hungry, or am I just bored, sad, it’s noon so it’s time to eat, or I’m feeling social pressure to eat?” Learning to ask ourselves those questions and then answering them honestly goes a long way to reign in over-eating and consuming empty calories that our bodies don’t need. The foods we eat can be incredibly healing and energy inducing, or can make us feel yucky and work sluggishly. Learning which ones do what will go a long way in aiding to successfully change your way of eating for a lifetime. If you start to feel really good and have adequate energy to do all the things in life you want to do, following a healthier way of eating becomes a lot easier!