Today, we’re bombarded with nutritional information, of which, some is good, and some literally makes my eyes want to bleed... Okay, that was a bit exaggerated, but there surely is all kind of info out there, and it all can be very overwhelming.
Ketogenic, paleo, high-carb:low-fat, fruitarianism, DASH, Dukan diet, and plenty more. Each diet is claimed to be the best, and it’s advocates have a plethora of facts (science-based or empirical) to prove that this is the path to follow. Moreover, there also is a variety of schools of thought: sugar will make you fat, oil causes inflammation, trans-fats will skyrocket your cholesterol levels immediately, you have to eat these supplements and these superfoods to have adequately antioxidants…
FACT: healthy eating isn’t all that complicated!
First, let’s forget about all the nutritional fads for a while. When I say healthy food, what pops into your mind? Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, all the colorful stuff? It’s exactly that, the majority of your diet should consist of plant foods (vegan or not), which will give you enough micronutrients and be a safe source of antioxidants that your body needs. Consequently, you’ll feel so much better, inside out.
Wait, does this mean I we should eat nothing but plants?
Word of the day: MODERATION. There’s no single food or ingredient, which will make you gain weight/fat. Not sugar, not oil, not pizza, not chocolate etc. When the majority of your daily energy intake comes from plant foods, there’s room for those “unhealthy” choices too, even on a daily basis. Food isn’t only a fuel for the most of us, it’s also a pleasure. If you love chocolate and wish to have it every day, do so! So do I (I’m so addicted atm, lol). However, there’s a huge difference between having a few pieces of chocolate and munching a 200 gram bar of chocolate every day. This is where moderation kicks in. If you’re restricting yourself to certain foods, that one day you allow yourself to eat them, you’ll probably end up overeating, binging even. On the other hand, if you allow yourself a nice little treat every now and then, any day of the week, you’ll probably only consume a little. Yet, a reminder, the majority of your diet ought to consist of those healthy, plant-based foods. When you’re hungry, eat a sufficient meal first. After that those extras, if you wish so. 😉
To clarify my point here: I'm not encouraging anyone to eat plain junk. But a super strict, super healthy diet isn't necessarily all that healthy for your body as a whole either. Finding the balance by moderation is the key.
-Jasmin ❤