The Staples of Good Nutrition
If you had to rate your daily diet on a scale of 1(deficient) – 10(perfect) where would you fall on the scale? Most would agree that there is always room for improvement when it comes to fine tuning health + wellness practices, especially nutrition. But, to eat healthier, you first need to have a better grasp on the foundational principles of good nutrition.
The Basic BLUEPRINT
While nutrition certainly is not one size fits all, there are some basic principles we can all follow to create a solid foundation for success.
For starters, incorporate sweet vegetables as well as dark, leafy greens into your daily diet. Consuming sweet vegetables helps to lessen cravings for less nutritious foods. And dark, leafy greens are more nutritious being that they are higher in vitamins, and minerals (of which most American diets are lacking).
Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice and cous cous should be integrated into your daily diet as well. Unlike refined grains, whole grains are nutrient dense and packed with phytochemicals, vitamins and fiber. Moreover, research has shown incorporating more whole grains into your daily diet can reduce inflammation within your body.
Thirdly, add quality protein to your diet. This can be animal protein (wild salmon or organic, grass fed beef) or vegetarian protein (quinoa, seeds, and nuts) too. Proteins are macronutrients, they not only give us energy but, can support our immune system, and help support growth.
For breakfast and lunch, you should consider adding fruit to your meal. Fruit and other raw (live) foods are packed with antioxidants and nutrients. But, make sure to head on over to the EWG to research more about the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen before your next produce haul.
Good Nutrition + Wellness
There are many benefits for your health and vitality when you maintain good nutrition. Adding healthier foods into your daily diet allows you to nourish your body. Creating rituals around how you prepare and enjoy your food can create a greater connection between you and the food you eat. This ideology may provoke you to choose foods differently.
For instance, you would feel more connected to food that you grew in your own garden, cooked in your kitchen, and shared with family and friends. Versus, picked up on the way home from soccer practice at your favorite local restaurant.
Good nutrition is one foundational aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Each person is unique and will therefore have different needs and desires for a better life. Fittingly, a balanced diet, tailored to your unique needs is vital to your health and vitality. If you need clarity and guidance on how to improve or maintain a healthy diet, I invite you to explore my 1:1 mentorship program, where together we can co-create a personalized plan just for you!
Once you start recognizing food as fuel and are able to decipher which foods you should stay away from, and which foods heal your body, your relationship with nutrition will change. The only question is, are you ready to make the change?
