By Lindsey Smith
Have you ever found yourself “food confused?” It seems like everyday something nutritionally changes either online or in some media outlet. As a nutrition coach, even I get confused. One day whole wheat is good, the next day it’s bad. We hear agave nectar is great, and then suddenly it’s not any good.
With information at our fingertips, it becomes easy to get caught up in all the social attention and media hype around food and health studies. When you find yourself “food confused” and you aren’t sure what is good and what is bad, just go back to basics.
Here are 4 easy tips to help you lessen the food confusion:
1.) Eat colors (and no, skittles don’t count). Colors are one of the most important things to consider when choosing foods because each color provides essential nutrients to keep you healthy. When given the option, aim for a plate full of color.
2.) The shorter the ingredient list, the better. Rather than obsessing over counting calories, check out the ingredient list. Aim for products with five ingredients or less. It’s as simple as that.
3.) Listen to YOUR body. There are a ton of health claims on food packages and products. While it is good to educate yourself, it is also really important to listen to your body. Just because something claims to be “healthy,” doesn’t mean it’s good for you specifically. Pay attention to what your body needs.
4.) Make small changes. Don’t throw out everything in your pantry, switch to all eco-friendly cleaners, and buy every expensive kitchen appliance you can think of. Instead, start small. Incorporate one change and add another in. This will help you create a healthy lifestyle that’s not overbearing.
Lindsey Smith, known as the “food mood girl” works with people who have a habit of looking to food for all the wrong nutrients: comfort, reward, fun and acceptance. Through speaking and coaching she motivates, equips and inspires people to sort out their relationships with food so they can live a healthy, balanced life. She is also the author of “Junk Foods & Junk Moods: Stop Craving and Start Living!” Connect with Smith via her Web site, www.FoodMoodGirl.com, on Facebook and Twitter @LindseySmithHHC.