Sustainable Eating

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, this month many people will be giving up their overly-ambitious goals and going back to the eating patterns they had during the holidays or binging on fatty, less nutrient-dense foods. I love a good Nutrition/food goal, but most of time we want to change everything at once. We are influenced to think, “Go big, or Go home!” This mindset is not sustainable and doesn’t support the every-changing lifestyle shifts we are always making. 

Nothing in life is consistent (except the fact that life is inconsistent). So, why put all these rules and regulations on your diet for a long period of time. When we have it all planned out and we forget to pack our lunch, or we attend a party, or we start craving fish on a vegan diet. We haven’t made a mindset shift to listen to our body no matter what our “diet book of choice” says. Usually when we crave things, it’s our bodies way of saying that we are missing something from our diet. Listen to cravings instead of wondering what the heck is wrong with you or shaming yourself for craving “bad” foods. 

Sustainable eating to me is :

• Eating as close to nature as possible
• Eating seasonably 
• Listening to my cravings, and filling them with healthier alternatives
• Being inspired by diets, not letting them control my life
• Filling up on Protein, Fiber, and Fat in every meal
• When at events, keep your health goals at the forefront of your mind to avoid binging on something you may regret, just to fit in. 

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated and you certainly don’t have to be following the latest FAD out there. Because in reality, the hype of it will fade and there will be something else people are drawn to that they think can save them. You are in control, listen to what your body is telling you. 

Some of my favorite meals that really keep me full are Oatmeals, Buddha Bowls, Salmon salads, and Hummus platters….Yummy!