Hi everyone! I promised this post a while ago, but I wanted to post it in my NEW BLOG! I'm so excited that I finally developed my own blog (I have to thank everyone who helped me because I'm not very tech savvy)!!
Okay, so I want to explain what balanced eating means. This has been the direction I've been taking for a few years now. I'll review some terms so it's easier to understand. Typically, I mention in the majority of my posts or stories the word "nutrient dense", this means that the food/s provide us with macro and micronutrients. There are other foods that are "calorie dense", by the name we can infer that what they provide us are more calories than macro and micronutrients. Nutrient dense foods can benefit us in many ways and these benefits can range from lowering cholesterol levels, help aid constipation, reducing the risk of chronic conditions, etc. While we know that calorie dense foods are rich in refined sugars and trans fat. But can we include both in our diet? You'll be shocked, but the answer is YES and I'll tell you why.
To be quite honest I try to avoid the word "healthy" for a simple reason: when we use it we add a moral value to food. Food is food at the end of the day. The purpose of focusing on a balanced way of eating instead of the regular diet approach is that you will not have a stressful relationship with food.
We all have been in that cycle of feeling guilty if we eat any calorie dense food. That's the problem exactly, when we feel that way we can develop a stressful relationship with food. Since we are restricting those "calorie dense foods" out of our diets we tend to desire them more! When we cave in into those cravings we can end up binge eating those foods. Then the guilt comes up again and it's a never ending cycle.
With this post I just want to let you know that you can learn how to determine your hunger and thirst cues. It's a matter of trying to listen to what our body is saying. I know it sounds very cliché, but our body has regulatory systems and these systems can inform you when you need to drink water, when you need to eat or stop eating.
If for any reason you want a cookie, fries, donut, etc. It is completely normal to desire these foods and you can totally eat them. With this approach your are not seeking to over eat and not care. This teaches us to understand what our body needs. Not only with food but with exercise/physical activity. Often times, my patients back in Guatemala would tell me that they don't like to go to the gym or swimming. In order to move your body you don't need to go to a gym there are several options to move yourself. Can range from biking, dancing, yoga, barre3, etc. I personally don't like going to a gym and working out, lifting weights, etc. This doesn't mean I don't engage in some sort of physical activity. I found the activity I like the most and I enjoy every workout.
Physical activity and eating are supposed to be individualized, no one will have the same routine and lifestyle. That's the beauty of it, would't it be boring if we all were the same? We all have different needs based on our age, gender, physical activity, etc. Also, there are so many different body types that it's okay if we don't look like other people.
I just want to motivate you to listen to those cues your body is sending you and remember, there is no perfect diet, so don't feel bad if the way you're eating looks different compared to others.
Hope all this information was useful to you! Message or email me if you need guidance or have further questions.
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