Does Nutrition Confuse The Hell Out Of You?
Paleo? Vegan? Vegetarian? Gluten Free? Low Carb?
Trying to figure out what diet is going to make you feel the absolute best can be rather confusing.
The thing is, not one type of diet makes every single person feel the same.
For some a vegetarian diet makes them feel better, for others restricting meat can do the opposite and make them feel worse.
Trial and error can be a very long and arduous road.
So before you feel like you need to trial every single diet, I’d like to give you an easier starting place.
My Three Easy Tips To A Healthier Diet And Healthier You
You see many of these diets have several attributes in common which means you can implement changes today without restricting yourself to one type of diet.
The great thing is that you can start feeling better today (yay!).
Better energy levels, healthier skin, a flatter stomach, and less sugar cravings are just three steps away.
1. EAT PALM SIZED PORTIONS OF PROTEIN
One of the easiest ways to ensure you are eating appropriate portion sizes to your height and weight is to use your hand as a guide.
Roughly measure the amount of protein that you eat to the thickness and diameter of your palm. This excludes your fingers and thumb.
Do this with each main meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Consuming quality protein at each of these meals will ensure you feel full and satisfied. It will also provide you with important building blocks (amino acids) for a healthy immune system, balanced mood, healthy skin and support muscle repair and growth.
You will also notice you’ll be in more control of your sugar cravings and have better energy levels.
Examples of good quality protein include:
- Free range eggs
- Organic, grass fed beef (aim for two serves per week)
- Free range, hormone free chicken
- Legumes and lentils
- Non genetically modified (GMO) tempeh and tofu
- Australian sourced fish
Try to vary these protein sources throughout the week.
2. KEEP HEALTHY SNACKS ON HAND BETWEEN MEALS
If you don’t get hungry between your main meals or have the urge to snack, feel free to skip this point.
But if you are like many working women that I know, having healthy snacks on hand is a must.
This is essential so that you aren’t turning to highly processed, sugary foods to keep you full.
You will have way better energy levels, you will be less grumpy, and much more focused at work.
Here are a few healthy snack options to keep you satisfied:
- Make a trial mix and have a small hand full mid morning. My favourite combination is dried organic cranberries, brazil nuts, walnuts and sunflower seeds.
- Cut up some celery, carrot and capsicum sticks (aim for roughly 6-8 sticks) and have with your favourite hommus dip.
- Eat rite seaweed and brown rice crackers with smashed avocado.
- A boiled egg.
- Yoghurt with granola (Buckwheat and Cranberry Granola).
- Fruit with nuts e.g. an apple and a small handful of your favourite trail mix (if you’re going to have fruit, exclude the dried fruit from your mix).
- Your favourite fruit salad e.g. blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon.
- 1 banana (these are very satisfying).
- Celery sticks with your favourite nut spread e.g. peanut butter, almond butter.
3. HAVE 2 HANDFULS OF VEGETABLES AT LUNCH AND DINNER
Increasing your vegetable intake is one of the best changes you can make to feeling vibrant and energised.
Vegetables are a fantastic source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that will nourish your cells and support the healthy functioning of your body.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to eat a salad for your work lunch.
A colourful salad will ensure you are eating a variety of different vegetables each day. This array of colour also means you are receiving an array of vitamins and minerals.
For a few salad ideas see below:
- Beetroot and Orange Spring Salad
- Zucchini and Cranberry Spring Salad
- Dairy Free Crunchy Coleslaw Salad
At dinner time, simple steam or roast a couple of vegetables and have with your evening meal.
A few great combinations are:
- Roasted japanese pumpkin left with the skin on. Season with paprika, sea salt, pepper and olive oil. Serve with steamed kale or silverbeet.
- Stir fried mushrooms, red onion and silver beet.
- Roasted sweet potato chips, hand cut by you with steamed broccoli or broccolini.
- Roasted brussel sprouts and baby carrots.
I’d Like to Hear From You
Implementing these three simple changes are going to make the world of difference to your health.
You’ll probably notice you feel more energetic, less bloated, less skin breakouts, more focused at work and just happier.
Once you’ve implemented these simple changes, you can then tailor your diet further to reach more specific health goals.
I’d love to hear how you went with these changes, please let me know in the comments below.
