3 Inaccurate Beliefs About Healthy Eating
Gone are the days when “health foods” were brittle, cardboard-tasting shredded wheat snacks that could only be found in specialty grocery stores. Kale, that cancer-fighting powerhouse of nutrition, has transformed from plate garnish to the star of scrumptious salads and summer slaws.
Though healthy eating has been revolutionized in recent years, there remain some misconceptions about it while food fads and dietary recommendations come and go before you can say “green smoothie.” As the majority of Americans strive to eat healthier, it’s high time these myths were debunked.
Healthy eating is too time-consuming
Here’s the truth: any meal can be time-consuming. Choosing recipes that cut down on prep and cook time is key when you need something fast, but you can also save a ton of time by making batches of a recipe and saving some for later.
Prepare a large salad that can portioned for your office lunches over the next few days, and if you’re cooking up some rice, make extra so that you can build a tasty bowl in just a few minutes later in the week. Most likely, many meals you regularly make freeze well, too.
There’s only one ideal diet
Humans are remarkably adaptable creatures, and dietary versatility has allowed the human species to flourish in environments all over the globe. That’s why so many of us can feel great going paleo, vegetarian, or raw - but not always. Sometimes these diets work for limited periods of time. If evolution teaches us something about the human diet, it’s that nutrition is about balance.
That’s why when it comes to nutrition, what you want to do is eat right for you based on genes, nutritional history, food intolerances, allergies, etc. If you think you might need to make some major adjustments, talking to your doctor about getting some testing done is always a good idea. Additionally, you might try an elimination diet and monitor your body’s reactions to the foods you reintroduce. That way, you can take the guesswork out of building the good eating habits that work for you.
Healthy eating is difficult
Sometimes we feel this way because we’re being too restrictive. Are you unnecessarily cutting out food groups? Are your salads packed with a variety of tastes, textures and proteins to satisfy your tastebuds and provide optimal energy? Healthy eating can be as simple as swapping out white bread for whole grain or following the half plate rule of making 50% of your plate veggies and fruits.
If you’re looking for lunch on the go and your workplace doesn’t provide healthy corporate lunch catering, many restaurants and cafes provide health-conscious meals. If not, ask for some simple modifications: pan-seared instead of deep-fried fish tacos or veggies instead of fries. You can also check the area for a natural (or traditional) grocery store as many have delis with wholesome options.
At Rootastes, we believe in simple, healthy eating. Follow your gut - and your tastebuds!
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