As a dietitian I am often faced with the dilemma of what to put on my plate in public. If I put only fruits, vegetables and quinoa on my plate those who know I am a dietitian will look at my plate and label me as the food police who takes away all good foods and never eats anything unhealthy. If I put dessert or white bread on my plate they will look at my plate and judge me to not be a good dietitian because I ate unhealthy foods and therefore everything I say is no longer credible. I have to say, it makes things tough at gatherings centered around food.
I began pondering on this dilemma months ago while watching Tara Stiles' global YouTube following hang on her every word about diet, nutrition and what she ate. I realized it was a dilemma I face when a woman from church came over to introduce her self bearing a chocolate bar as a gift. Upon finding out I was a future dietitian she was completely mortified that she had brought the chocolate and apologized profusely. I assured her that I ate chocolate (yes, even Hershey’s milk chocolate) and that I greatly appreciated the gift. A month later she was back, this time with a box of CostCo clementines. While it is true I sat down and ate 4 clementines for a snack while I ate the chocolate bar only one square at a time over a mater of days, it does not make the chocolate bad. But still my every food choice seems to bring me yet again to the dilemma of what does my plate say about me to others.
Here is what I have decided. Foods are like people; they all have their redeeming qualities. My favorite oatmeal cookies, while loaded with fat and sugar are also whole grain. Sweet potatoes, while being loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is also really high in carbs and therefore calories. I could categorize the “good” and “bad” parts of foods all day long, but it makes me go crazy when I do it with my own plate. So what do I do to eat healthy?
1) I make 1/2 my plate fruits and vegetables at every meal (Seriously. Make 50% of what you eat fruits and veggies.)
2) I say “no” to foods I don’t really like (Nachos? Yuck. Cake? Likely dry and not worth it. Chocolate? I’ve got to be in the mood. You get the point.)
3) I don’t reward myself with food (You are not a dog; don’t do it.)
4) Focus on new nutrition goals regularly (Always focus on new, positive ways to propel yourself forward into living a better lifestyle.)
5) Don’t stress it! (You will drive yourself, and everyone around you, crazy. I’ve been there, done that, and am so done with it.)
Overly simplistic? Maybe. But it is what works for me and I am always trying to do a little better. You’ve got to find what works for you and stick with it.
What works for you? Leave me a comment and let me know. I love getting new ideas from all of you!
I began pondering on this dilemma months ago while watching Tara Stiles' global YouTube following hang on her every word about diet, nutrition and what she ate. I realized it was a dilemma I face when a woman from church came over to introduce her self bearing a chocolate bar as a gift. Upon finding out I was a future dietitian she was completely mortified that she had brought the chocolate and apologized profusely. I assured her that I ate chocolate (yes, even Hershey’s milk chocolate) and that I greatly appreciated the gift. A month later she was back, this time with a box of CostCo clementines. While it is true I sat down and ate 4 clementines for a snack while I ate the chocolate bar only one square at a time over a mater of days, it does not make the chocolate bad. But still my every food choice seems to bring me yet again to the dilemma of what does my plate say about me to others.
Here is what I have decided. Foods are like people; they all have their redeeming qualities. My favorite oatmeal cookies, while loaded with fat and sugar are also whole grain. Sweet potatoes, while being loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is also really high in carbs and therefore calories. I could categorize the “good” and “bad” parts of foods all day long, but it makes me go crazy when I do it with my own plate. So what do I do to eat healthy?
1) I make 1/2 my plate fruits and vegetables at every meal (Seriously. Make 50% of what you eat fruits and veggies.)
2) I say “no” to foods I don’t really like (Nachos? Yuck. Cake? Likely dry and not worth it. Chocolate? I’ve got to be in the mood. You get the point.)
3) I don’t reward myself with food (You are not a dog; don’t do it.)
4) Focus on new nutrition goals regularly (Always focus on new, positive ways to propel yourself forward into living a better lifestyle.)
5) Don’t stress it! (You will drive yourself, and everyone around you, crazy. I’ve been there, done that, and am so done with it.)
Overly simplistic? Maybe. But it is what works for me and I am always trying to do a little better. You’ve got to find what works for you and stick with it.
What works for you? Leave me a comment and let me know. I love getting new ideas from all of you!
