Healthy Eating: For Dummies

By no means do I claim to have a perfect diet. I partake in the more-than occasional dollar draft night, I will bake cookies on a Tuesday night and I will eat them all, and I’d be lying if I told you I always topped my froyo with fruits and nuts. (peanut butter cups and cookie dough will always win that battle).

But, and this is a big but, I have a big butt. I actually don’t but I just wanted to say that.

But, for real this time, on any normal day I really do eat well.

For example:

Breakfast is either a cup of tea with a package of Belvita Biscuits (totally obsessed), or if I have time I will make two eggs, one yolk only, on multigrain toast with a sprinkle of cheese.

And if I’m really hungry (I’m usually really hungry) I make the best foe-milkshake in the world. I will share with you my top-secret recipe. Ready?

Frozen bananas, non-fat milk, 1 scoop of natural peanut butter.

Did I just blow your mind? I know it’s like the new, cool thing to do but I promise I’ve been making those since I was a kid thanks to the Old Man so take that, Pinterest!

Anyway, moving on.

I give myself an extra few minutes in the morning to pack food so I don’t give into the temptation that is a Dunkin Donuts corn muffin on the way to work or class. Snacks/Lunch is usually some combination of the following:

-Greek Yogurt

-Pita Chips and Hummus

-Watermelon

-Strawberries

-Any in-season fruit really

-Green Peppers

-Naked Juice (another favorite product of mine)

-Almonds or trail mix

-Kashi Granola Bars

-Maybe leftovers from the night before

I have a lot of options for dinner (keep checking back for posted recipes!) but here’s how to make a healthy dinner in 5 easy steps:

1.Choose a lean protein. Chicken breast, fish, tofu, and beans are all great sources of protein without all of the cholesterol that beef and ham have.

2.Use whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa and barley. Not only will they add fiber, and protein but they hold onto all of the nutrients that refined grains lose. 

3.Load up the vegetables! Keep your plate green with asparagus, broccoli, spinach and kale (yes, you can eat kale NOT in a smoothie, who would’ve known).

4. Steaming, grilling, or roasting in the oven are all great ways to keep the excess fat off.

5. Season your food! To lower sodium intake, use herbs, spices, and maybe even a little bit of lemon juice to flavor your food. Trust me, you will not miss the salt.

Just a few changes can make a huge difference. Start with just one or two changes a week. Again, you don’t want to feel like your limiting yourself. When you start doing this, then you won’t feel guilty going out for drinks later, because you earned it. Before you know it, it’ll be your lifestyle and you’ll start looking and feeling better.

Keep checking back for new, healthy recipes!

Happy Eating!

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