December 26th, 2020

Have you ever Googled:

“How many calories should I eat in a day?”

“How many calories should I eat to lose weight?”

“Where can I find a calorie calculator?”

“What’s the best way to track how many calories you eat?”

“How many calories are in [insert name of food here]?”

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or all of the questions above, you’re not alone, and that’s because we live in a world of diet culture. Diet has become a dirty word that is associated with weight loss. When in reality, “diet” is a word that describes “the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats.”

For a moment, think of the word “diet” in this new light—leaving weight loss out of the definition. Can you reflect on the foods you’ve been eating on a daily basis? What habits have you picked up over time? Is your plate filled with whole foods or processed foods?

The easiest way to improve your diet? By counting the number of plants on your plate, rather than the number of calories.

You’ve heard the saying “quality over quantity,” right? Well, that idea is imperative when thinking about how to nourish your body.

Looking at the nutritional value of food is far more important than focusing on the number of calories. Why? Because calorie counting often leads to unbalanced meals which leaves gaps in your nutritional needs. Instead, it’s better to focus on whole foods and portion sizes.

Here are a few simple tips to help you create a new, healthy relationship with food.

Whole foods and nutrient-dense superfoods are packed with all of the nourishment your body needs including; vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and enzymes. Try eating as many micronutrients as you can and see how you feel!

And, as an added bonus: when you eat whole foods, it’s easy to stay clear of artificial sweeteners, highly processed sugars and oils, fillers, gums, genetically modified food and MSG.

It’s a win-win!

Because plant-based foods are not as calorically dense and contain lots of water, you’ll most likely eat larger portions than before—and that’s okay! For processed or packaged foods, reading a nutrition label is the best way to identify healthy portion sizes.

Eating intuitively is all about learning to listen to your body’s needs. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. But that doesn’t mean you should eat an entire bag of chips or get to the bottom of a sugary cereal box in record time. Eating intuitively means filling your body with nutritious foods like veggies and hummus, bliss balls, or nuts and berries. Healthy snacking can (and should) nourish and satisfy you.

 Food should not be your enemy; it’s actually the opposite! A healthy variety of plant-based foods will support your body’s natural healing process, improve your digestion, give you more energy, support your metabolism – and much more!

Start fueling your body with the best nature has to offer and you will thrive.

Written by Reigna