Nutrition Basics

There are so many different opinions out there, even nutritionally, with how we should eat food, workout, etc. It’s tough to keep up with! I think regardless of all the varying thoughts on nutrition we can agree on some of these basics.

Healthy fats are good for us. What are healthy fats? These are things like coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, nuts, and even legit real butter (though I do think butter made from grassfed cows has the advantage). Having these in our diet help our brain function, help cholesterol levels, maintain heart health, and help reduce inflammation in the body.

Protein is necessary- not talking about high protein diets but taking in amount of protein that works for your body and the amount of physical activity we’re participating in. There are a variety of ways to get protein and it’s not just from meat. My husband doesn’t want to give up that notion, so I keep variety of meat options around for him. I eat meat about once a day- twice a day if I’m not as prepared because I normally have some sort of left over meat from dinner. Some other ways to get protein are with combining different sources of food. Lentils, beans, and chickpeas are good sources of protein. Add some hemp seeds to your smoothie or salad and there’s some extra protein going in. I like to also use different nut butters to work towards my protein intake. Proteins are chains of amino acids. They help in tissue and muscle repair, which is important with exercise.

There are good carbs out there- quinoa, sweet potatoes, oats, and banana to name a few. People argue on the amount of carbs we should take in- as evidenced by all the different food diet options. I say do what works for YOUR body. I can’t say I believe in fully cutting carbs out of your diet. I think it’s a necessary building block for the continued energy of our body. I 100% agree with cutting out unhealthy carbs that don’t feed you- most manufactured breads (take a peak at the ingredients and if you’re into that and it works- do you). I’ve always loved carbs, so I can’t say I will ever give them fully up, though I avoid going over the top with them and have a healthy balance.

We should minimize processed sugars as much as possible. Coming from a former candy addict- this is possible. Especially once you get away from it, it becomes so much easier. It’s quite addictive. I’ve replaced my processed sugars with some healthier options. I don’t expect anyone to give up all sweets- that just wouldn’t be right! Explore some healthier options. I love to do a couple of squares of 70% cacao dark chocolate, treats made with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, or if you’re really trying to behave- use your fruits as sweet treats. They are still higher in sugar so don’t eat a whole container of strawberries- use good serving sizes.

Just for in general- I try to avoid highly processed foods. I like to use lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, and make a lot of my meals. There is a level of time commitment involved with this and for me that’s worth it. Thankfully there are some decent options of ready made items that can make it easy to at least grab something already made without a lot of unnecessary added ingredients. I’ve found good almond milk, nut butters, some snacks, and even a sweet treat. It used to be a lot harder to find a lot of these items in my area, but thankfully they’re becoming more popular!

Eating a healthy diet is a big part in Sparkling Up Buttercup!!