Simplifying Nutrition: A Step-by-Step Guide to Healthy Eating with Nuri
Eating healthy can seem like a giant undertaking. Let’s take some of the mystery out of it and boil it down to the basics. There’s no point in overwhelming yourself and trying to be perfect. Usually, this kind of mentality leads to one thing—calling it quits!
So, before you do an overhaul of your entire kitchen, let’s start slow and build something you can actually stick with. The key? It needs to be food that:
- You like
- You can easily cook
Step 1: Discover Your Preferences
Start by making a list of healthy foods you already enjoy. Think about fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. If you like berries, spinach, chicken, quinoa, and avocados, great! These are your foundation. Healthy eating doesn’t mean forcing yourself to eat foods you dislike. It’s about incorporating more of the good stuff you already enjoy.
Step 2: Simplify Your Cooking
You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to eat healthily. Look for simple recipes that use your favorite ingredients and don’t require a lot of time or fancy equipment. Start with easy methods like baking, grilling, steaming, or stir-frying. For example, a grilled chicken breast with a side of roasted vegetables and quinoa is nutritious, delicious, and straightforward to prepare.
Step 3: Focus on getting more of what you need
It's a big mistake to fixate on avoiding 'bad food' and staying away from 'temptation'. We are naturally programmed to want what we can't have. If you focus instead on filling your plate with nutrient dense foods to hit certain goals, like "I need 20g of protein with each meal", or "I need to get my fiber intake in", or "I need 3 more servings of vegetables today" - you are much less likely to overeat less nutritious foods.
Step 4: Plan Ahead
Planning your meals in advance can save you time and help you stick to your healthy eating goals. Start by planning just a few meals each week and gradually increase as you become more comfortable. Make a grocery list based on your meal plan to ensure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. Meal prepping on weekends can also be a great way to ensure you have healthy options ready to go during the busy workweek.
Step 5: Balance Your Plate
A balanced plate includes a mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. Aim to fill half your plate with vegetables and fruits, a quarter with lean protein, and the remaining quarter with whole grains. This balance helps ensure you’re getting a wide range of nutrients and keeps you satisfied longer.
Step 6: Stay Hydrated
Don’t forget the importance of hydration. Drinking enough water throughout the day is crucial for overall health and can help control hunger. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day, and more if you’re active or live in a hot climate. If you find plain water boring, try infusing it with fresh fruits like lemon, berries, or cucumber.
Step 7: Listen to Your Body
Healthy eating is not just about the food you eat but also about how you feel. Pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re satisfied. This mindful eating approach helps prevent overeating and ensures you enjoy your meals.
Step 8: Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself
Remember, it’s okay to indulge occasionally. The goal is to maintain a healthy eating pattern most of the time. Don’t stress over a slice of cake at a birthday party or a pizza night with friends. Enjoy these moments and get back on track with your next meal.
Keep it simple!
Simplifying nutrition is about making healthy eating accessible and sustainable. By focusing on foods you like, keeping recipes simple, planning ahead, balancing your plate, staying hydrated, listening to your body, and allowing yourself the occasional treat, you can build a healthy eating pattern that works for you.
At Nuri, we believe in making nutrition easy and enjoyable. Start with these basics, and you'll be well on your way to a healthier, happier you.