What Is a Balanced Diet?
I love food. Like, I really love food. I believe God made us to enjoy food, but we all too often enjoy a little too much food (or maybe it’s just me). After having three kids, I often turned to food as an emotional coping mechanism. Food and let’s be honest, lattes, became a way for me to enjoy a little me time. I had no sense of how the food in my body was affecting everything else. Until, I realized that I had no balance in my diet whatsoever.
And for those of you who read until the end, I have a little goody for you in your quest for a more balanced diet! Totally free and you can download it today!
Therefore, let’s start off by explaining what a “balanced diet” is.
What Exact Is a Balanced Diet?
According to Healthline, ” A balanced diet gives your body the nutrients it needs to function correctly.” Knowing this, in order to get the nutrition you need on a daily basis, most of your daily calories should come from the following:
- fresh fruits
- fresh vegetables
- whole grains
- legumes
- nuts
- lean proteins
- healthy fats
I will be the first to admit that this list wasn’t shocking to me…I just chose to ignore it. Sound familiar? We’ve been told how to eat healthy our whole lives, but until it becomes a priority it won’t become a reality.
For me, I got tired of seeing my muffin top just keep growing. I finally realized that I’m not 20 anymore and I don’t have that awesome metabolism that I once had. What really makes me sad is that I didn’t appreciate it when I had it!
However, I do have some good news. It’s not too late to feel and BE healthier. It’s never too late!
How Do I Start Eating a Healthy Diet?
It all starts with your commitment. Are you ready to accept that not all foods are good for you to consume on a daily basis? Unfortunately for most of us, overcoming emotional eating will be the most difficult part of your journey to eating healthier. Breaking bad eating habits will be difficult, but not impossible.
For example, researchers at the National Institute of Health explain, “Enjoyable behaviors can prompt your brain to release a chemical called dopamine. If you do something over and over, and dopamine is there when you’re doing it, that strengthens the habit even more. When you’re not doing those things, dopamine creates the craving to do it again.”
Hence, over eating.
So how do you actually start eating a balanced diet? I have created a visual plate that you can remember when it’s time to eat! About 3/4 of your plate should be vegetables or complex carbohydrates, followed by a good amount of protein, then lastly healthy oils.
Why Should I Eat a Balanced Diet?
There are so many crucial reasons to start eating a more heathy diet today! Scientists have proven that eating a balanced diet can help:
- keep your skin, teeth and eyes more healthy
- supports your immune system
- strengthens your bones
- builds muscle mass
- lowers your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers
- helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight
And the list goes on!
I want to help you decide TODAY that you are going to eat aa healthier more balanced diet! So keep reading, I have a gift for you at the end!
Once your body starts to detox from your bad eating habits, your body will not crave the sugary lattes everyday (and your bank account will thank you too). You will actually FEEL better and in time, you will start to have more energy during the day! Because of this, you will have more energy to be more active, thus activate your body to start loosing those stubborn pounds you don’t love!
List of Balanced Diet Foods You Can Get Today!
Ok! As I promised! Here is an EASY grab-and-go or SAVE it on your Pinterest app grocery list organized by how the store is already laid out! You’re welcome!!
I sure hope this post gets you excited to start on your journey to eating healthier! Will you ever get to have those delicious lattes and cookies again? YES!! It’s all about moderation and just being aware of how much you indulge in unhealthy foods. But I do strongly believe that God wants us to ENJOY food!
In conclusion, you now have a handy-dandy list you can follow each trip to the grocery store! The trick is to have healthy food on hand at home so that you reach past those not-so-healthy choices, in order to live your best life eating a more balanced diet! Your body will THANK YOU!
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