Eating healthy is more than just salads

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Eating Healthy Is More than Just Salads

            I truly think there is a misconception when it comes to what eating “healthy” means. People may feel they need to restrict specific foods, and only eat one kind of food in order to lose weight or reach a diet-related goal. But is this really true?

How many people have a salad for a meal, not because they want to, but because they feel like that is the only food they can eat in order to eat healthy? I know a few years back that is exactly what I thought, but I am here to tell you:

You DON’T have to eat only salads to be healthy!
           
I am sure that can sound like a relief to many people! But it also may sound confusing. If I don’t only have to eat salads, then what can I actually eat?

The truth is, eating healthy means eating real food and being aware of what you are putting into your body. A recent study in 2017 observed people’s perceptions of eating by the media were that healthy eating was related to rational decisions and willpower, not enjoyable eating behavior, while eating foods for pleasure was shown to be linked to unhealthy eating habits and foods. People believe that foods that are represented as unhealthy food choices are expected to provide more enjoyment from eating them as compared to eating healthier foods. But truth be told, eating should be an all-round enjoyable experience no matter what food you are eating!

You DON’T have to be restrictive and unhappy with what you are eating!
           
            There are wholesome foods that you can still enjoy while eating a healthy lifestyle. You can still eat carbs and fats, and actually feel full and satisfied after a meal. Eating healthy is really all about being aware about what you are eating by simply choosing the smarter option;

Whole grains vs white enriched grains
Skim milk versus whole milk
Olive oil versus butter
Baked or grilled vs fried
…and so on!

Still enjoy your favorite chicken alfredo pasta dish but use whole grain pasta, lower-fat cream or milk, grilled chicken, and add in some veggies like broccoli or asparagus!

Looking at a dish and saying is there an alternative to any of these ingredients, can the grain be switched to a whole grain, can the meat be grilled or baked rather than fried, can I bake my french fries instead of frying them in a pan with a lot of oil?

Being smart about enjoying your favorites is the KEY to eating healthy, and enjoying what you are eating!







EB

References
Dodds, A., and Chamberlain, K. (2017). The problematic messages of nutritional discourse: A case-based critical media analysis. Appetite (108), 42-50.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.09.021

Raghunathan, R., Naylor, R.W., and Hoyer, W.D. (2006). The unhealthy = tasty intuition and its effects on taste inferences, enjoyment and choice of food products. Journal of Marketing. 70 (40), 170-184. Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33750825820&origin=inward&txGid=b158ef8ec8965ee6695a4e039285341b

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