My blog is officially 2 years old this june (technically my blog's "birthday" was June 10th). I'm proud that I've been able to make writing a commitment, even though I feel like I'm a lot less focused on this blog than when I first began. Part of this is actually for a really good reason. I'm a lot less fixated on food than I used to be. Throughout writing about recipes, nutrition tips and advice, I've learned quite a bit about what healthy eating actually is. Here are some things I've learned as a nutritionist and student of nutrition:
1. Healthy eating is different for everyone
When I started this blog, I was kind of obsessed with counting calories. I just couldn't shake it. This was not healthy and made me have a really negative relationship with food. I've mentioned in past posts that I used to struggle with obsessive dieting, so counting calories was definitely something that I needed to get away from. Instead of taking the latest diet advice or trying to adopt a lifestyle that ignores your personal health needs, do what feels right to you. It might feel uncomfortable to trust your gut, but ultimately, it is the healthiest.
2. Eat the rainbow
Ok, so you've convinced yourself that your "intuition" is telling you to eat burgers and fries? Let's be real. Your body needs fresh food in the form of fruits and veggies. Things that grow from the earth offer an abundance of vitamins and minerals and are truly nourishing. Learning to prepare vegetables so that they taste good is fun, I promise!
3. Don't compare your diet to anyone else's
I used to follow a bunch of vegan people on instagram and then would feel guilty every time I ate something that was less than 100% organic, raw, sustainably-produced, blah blah blah. I realized I was spending more time feeling bad about my perfectly healthy diet than enjoying my food. I also became somewhat obsessed with posting my own food pictures! If you find yourself comparing your diet to someone else's, try to remember that no one is perfect when it comes to eating. And remember to take anything food-related on social media with a grain of salt (no pun intended).
4. Always bring snacks
Wherever you go, there you are…and hopefully you brought a snack because you will get hungry! I can't tell you how many times I've been out running errands and became so hungry, I ended up overeating during my next meal. I've learned that keeping snacks in my bag really lets me avoid stuffing my face come lunch or dinner. Trail mix, granola bars, a bag of baby carrots, a piece of fresh fruit- these are all great snack ideas to have on hand.
5. Get moving
Exercise is essential for staying healthy, both physically and mentally. Not only do you burn calories and build strength (depending on the activity), exercise has been found to decrease stress and increase mental awareness. Moving your body will you help you in every way to improve your health…plus it makes your butt look good :). Start small and increase the amount of time you exercise. Try different activities and see which one you really like. I used to hate yoga, and now in a few weeks, I'll officially be a registered yoga teacher. Go outside your comfort zone when it comes to trying new activities, you might just find your passion!
6. Have some kind of routine
Routines can be boring, restrictive, and repetitive-or-they can be grounding, give you a sense of purpose, and help you get things done. It's all about perspective! When making a routine (whether its related to exercise or when you'll prepare your meals, etc.) consider what will be most realistic and doable for you. If you're not a morning person, don't force yourself to wake up at 5 AM to go for a run everyday, because that's not exercise, that's torture. Likewise, if you work 60 hours a week and don't have a spare minute to prepare your food, don't waste your free time cooking elaborate meals. Instead, aim to have simple staples and healthy options at the places you dine at.
7. Be a perpetual student
I started this blog the same month I decided to go back to school to pursue a second bachelor's and a master's both in nutrition. I've probably learned just as much about food outside of the classroom than in it. I've learned a lot about how to treat illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, etc. and I love my professors, but when it comes to learning about the best way to eat, that's in your hands. Be curious about your food and figuring out what works for you. You know yourself better than any person- nutritionist, doctor, etc. and it can never hurt to learn about food from a variety of sources and then integrate what makes the most sense for you, personally.
I hope you've enjoyed the past two years of my blog! If you're a student of nutrition, feel free to share this post!
-Jess
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