The amount of information and misinformation regarding nutrition is staggering! If you’ve ever been on social media or the internet in general, ads about nutrition pop up everywhere. So how do you know what is sound advice? Unless you have spent years studying nutrition and the body, it can be very difficult to know where to start.
Nutrition can be complex, but there are some very simple strategies you can use every day to cut through some of the hype. Whenever you see marketing that promises amazing results, ask yourself the following question: does the plan offer a quick fix or does it sound too good to be true? If the answer is yes, it’s not likely to set you up for long-term success.
Good nutrition lays the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle. Your body needs a balanced intake of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to function properly. Researching and discovering the proper ratio can take some time, as every person is different. Nutrition coaching can help guide you, but if you have the patience to do the research yourself, many online calculators can provide you with nutrient-balance information.
A whole foods approach is what most nutrition coaches prescribe to their clients. Eating lots of green, leafy vegetables, high-quality proteins, some starchy carbs, and healthy fats are the basics of a whole foods diet. Trying to stay away from refined sugars and processed foods can be difficult at first, but if you take a gradual approach, you can phase out a lot of the less healthy foods and replace them with better, fresher options.
Use your hand as a guide for a simple way to portion your food. Each meal for a woman should contain a palm-size of lean protein (meats or nuts) along with one fist of vegetables, one cupped-handful of carbohydrates (grains and fruits), and a thumb’s worth of healthy fats. For men, aim to prepare two palms of protein, two fists of vegetables, two cupped-handfuls of carbs, and two thumbs of fat. If you are a fitness enthusiast, you will want to add starchy carbohydrates to your plate after your workout.
If you need help getting back on track, a nutrition coach can help you establish a nutrient balance appropriate for your activity level. They are there to assist you with goal-setting and establishing a course to achieve those goals. They can teach you the healthy habits you need to know to set yourself up for long-term success, offering support and accountability along the way. Nutrition coaches can aid in meal planning and even overhaul your kitchen and grocery shop with you.
Keeping things simple helps create lifelong habits. There are no quick fixes; good nutrition should be an ongoing pursuit.
