As I’m writing this, I’m treating myself to jelly beans (yes, still Easter candy) but yesterday when I was researching, I was munching on raw green beans (they’re actually a great snack!) I’m not a strong believer in most diets because they make it harder to get certain nutrients. For example, in a vegan diet, it is doable because there are other ways to get protein (beans, tofu, etc.) but it makes it so much harder, and for what? I understand that with vegan and vegetarian diets, most people do it for animal rights but there are other, and better, ways to stand up for animals!
At this point in my research, I’ve written about multiple diets including Mediterranean, Vegan, Vegetarian, Ketogenic, and DASH. Therefore, this post uses that research to answer the question, “is there a perfect diet?” First of all, I hate the word diet, its definition literally contains the words “restrict” and “rules.” Instead, I like to say “way of eating” because it reinforces moderation because it doesn’t mean “restrict” or “rules” and that it’s okay to stray from healthy foods from time to time. This way of eating mainly involves one word, moderation.
I love and live through lean protein due to how active I am in sports and fitness. I also strive to eat a variety of fruits and veggies throughout the day, around 5 different servings of fruit and vegetables. A serving for me is around 1 cup, or sometimes, it’s just a clementine or apple. To get all of the wonderful nutrients from fruits and veggies, I try not to eat the same fruit or veggie twice in a day. For example, if I have raspberries with breakfast, I’ll have an apple or clementine as a snack later.
For breakfast, I try to start off really healthy so I have “wiggle room” throughout the day. I’ll usually have fruit and granola, fruit and avocado toast, or eggs. I always try to start with a fruit/veggie and whole grains or a fruit/veggie and protein, or both!
For lunch, I try to keep up my healthy streak but may sway a little bit with adding some chips. Here is where moderation comes into play! I’ll usually have a salad with toppings of cheese and/or chicken for some protein and dairy with a side of fruit and/or chips.
For dinner, I usually have a main course filled with protein, usually poultry (chicken, mostly), red meats (in moderation of course), or fish. Sometimes I’ll have a pasta night but “healthified” (edamame pasta is a new favorite). As sides, I’ll have a green vegetable and a healthy starch like corn, whole grain rice, etc.
For dessert, yes, dessert--moderation plays its role here too--sometimes I’ll have cake, cookies, or ice cream but other nights I’ll just have fruit!
For snacks, I’ll usually have a snack around 11 if I eat breakfast at 8 and then another snack around 4 if I eat lunch at 12. If I’m hungry after dinner at 6, I’ll snack again around 9, or just have dessert. I agree to restrain from unhealthy foods about 3 hours before bed though, so I usually have dessert soon after dinner so it doesn’t get too late. For snacks, my options tend to vary, I’ll have a fruit and nuts or fruit and pretzels, etc. I try to have at least one fruit or veggie and then something a little more substantial like nuts or light carbs.
This way of eating includes all food groups because, if you eat healthy for a majority of the time, then it won’t hurt to treat yourself once in a while. Most importantly though, if you eat healthy foods that you enjoy, then you won’t even need to treat yourself! Make “happihealthy” choices that will help you be “happi” and “healthy”!
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