When you start learning more about nutrition, it can seem overwhelming. For people who are interested, there is definitely a lot to learn and explore, but, in the end, basic nutrition is quite simple. It’s so simple, in fact, that we know you can eat better by focusing on these eight things.
EIGHT WAYS TO EAT HEALTHIER
1. FOCUS ON REAL FOOD
We mean real food as opposed to processed food. Real food is fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, seafood, nuts, seeds, whole grains and beans. Natural sweeteners, coffee, chocolate and wine count, too — just in moderation. Avoid food that is mass-produced, emulsified (where water and oil don’t separate) or shelf-stable. Eating real food leads to eating more nutrient-rich food without much effort. See What Real Food Looks Like for more information.
2. OPT FOR COMPLEX CARBS
When it comes to carbs, the more natural and whole, the better. Go for complex carbs like 100% whole-grain breads and pasta, brown rice, starchy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, low-fat dairy and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limit simple sugars from refined grains, processed snack foods, sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages. Check out our Essential Guide to Carbs.
3. ENJOY LEAN PROTEIN
It’s perfectly OK to indulge in breakfast sausage and cheeseburgers on occasion. But on an everyday basis, there are plenty of great lean proteins to choose from. Some good meat-free options include beans, peas, quinoa, lentils, tofu, low-fat yogurt and 1% milk. Fish is another great source of protein that can also be rich in healthy omega-3’s. As far as meat goes, cuts that have round, chuck or loin in the name are usually leanest, along with chicken and turkey breast. Learn more with our Essential Guide to Protein.
4. CONSUME HEALTHY FATS
Add avocados, nuts and nut butters, seeds and fatty fish like salmon into your weekly menu. Cook with healthy oils like olive or grapeseed instead of butter or lard. Make salad dressings with flaxseed oil for a healthy dose of omega-3’s. Find out more with our Essential Guide to Fats.
5. EAT LOTS OF COLORS
Incorporate colorful foods into every meal — some people call it eating a rainbow. From dark greens to red berries, orange bell peppers and white onions, the colors in fruits, vegetables and even proteins are associated with important vitamins and minerals. Eating a rainbow of colorful foods, especially fruits and vegetables, is a great way to get a variety of micronutrients in your diet. Take a deep dive with our Guide to Vitamins & Minerals and check out these Rainbow-Inspired Smoothies.
6. BALANCE YOUR PORTIONS
Eat a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats at each meal and choose foods rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. A good way to do this is to fill your plate with 3–4 food groups at each meal. Eat a combination of protein-rich foods, whole grains, dairy, fruits and vegetables, and incorporate the groups you miss into other meals and snacks throughout the day. Stick to healthy portions — see our Essential Guide to Portion Sizes for tips.
7. MINIMIZE THE SUGAR
In its natural state, sugar is a relatively harmless — even necessary — carbohydrate our bodies need to function. It’s found in fruits, vegetables and dairy as the compound fructose or lactose. The problem comes when sugar is added to foods during processing for added flavor, texture or color. Eating too many of these empty calories has many health effects, the most obvious being major weight gain. Added sugar drives your insulin levels up, messes with your metabolism and causes those calories to turn right into belly fat. Sugar goes by many names. Learn more about the surprising benefits of cutting back on sugar.
8. CHOOSE SMART SNACKS
Snack time is when processed foods are the easiest to grab. Arm yourself with real food snacks that are as minimally processed as possible. See What 200-Calorie Snacks Look Like or dive in with these classics:
| Fresh fruit | Cherry tomatoes |
| Unsweetened dried fruit | Whole-grain crackers |
| Roasted nuts | Yogurt |
| Dark chocolate | Celery sticks |
| Trail mix | Bell pepper sticks |
| Popcorn | Hard-boiled eggs |
| Mozzarella sticks | Cucumber slices |
| Baby carrots |
EATING WELL IS A LIFESTYLE
Healthful eating isn’t about eating perfectly. It’s about making more nutritious choices most of the time, nourishing our bodies with real food and enjoying the occasional treat along the way.
Here, we’ve gathered more resources for people looking to eat better.
5 Reasons Why You Should Allow Yourself to Eat All Foods
Labeling your food as “good” or “bad” is passé and counterproductive to your well-being. Before you embark on the newest juice cleanse, learn why allowing yourself room to eat all foods can be beneficial to your waistline.
3 Reasons to Give up Fad Diets
Don’t fall for gimmicks: cayenne pepper this and cabbage soup that. This year, ditch your yo-yo diet for good. Healthy eating is a lifestyle change, not a novelty. Here’s the rationale behind the long-term benefits.
5 Ways to Make Your Kitchen as Oasis of Healthy Eating
Set yourself up for healthy eating success by stocking up on healthy options and then putting them front and center.
6 Habits That Are Undermining Your Healthy Eating Plan
From not keeping healthy foods you enjoy on-hand to over-exercising, these six habits can keep you from achieving your nutrition goals.
The Ultimate Guide to Cutting Back on Calories when Eating Out
Between bottomless margaritas and 12-ounce prime ribs, it’s a challenge to stay on track when you eat out. It’s easy to load up on extra calories, fat, sugar and sodium if you’re not paying attention. Check out our guide for easy tips to trim the excess.
Essential Guide to Meal Planning
Meal planning is a secret weapon — not just for weight loss and healthy eating but for simplifying your family’s routine and doing it all on a budget. Here’s our step-by-step guide for it all, from making a shopping list to the recipes you need to be successful.
Ask the Dietitian: Is a Calorie a Calorie?
Calories are the magic numbers for maintaining your weight. But are all calories created equal? Our expert explains the difference between calories from carbs, protein and fat.
20 Ways to Get Your Family to Enjoy Healthy Eating
It takes a village for anyone in a household to eat well. These tips will help you get the whole family involved with a healthy eating plan.
READ MORE ESSENTIAL GUIDES
> Portion Sizes
> Macros
> Getting Moving
