Daily Nutrition Mindset And Hacks

How I Prioritize And Organize Nutrition On A Weekly Basis

The topic of nutrition can seem a bit overwhelming. There are so many do’s and dont’s floating around on the internet, that it can start to provoke a lot of emotion. It can make you feel avoidant to starting or making adjustments in the first place. It can feel impossible to know what's right for your body and your lifestyle. Although it would take quite a long time to cover all of the bases in nutrition. I’d like to offer some of my personal weekly habits that keep me feeling my best. 

Meal prepping my proteins and vegetables take priority! Every couple of days or at the beginning of the week I take the time to prepare a couple of simple protein options ( such as chicken or turkey) and vegetable options (green beans, zucchini, carrots, broccoli etc.) This makes it so that my easy grabs from the fridge are the main base of my meal. This also allows me to add whatever I’d like to the meal (maybe fruit, nut mixes etc.) It makes lunches and dinners so much more convenient and helps to squash my decision fatigue which can usually lead me astray. Knowing that the base of my meal is covered also keeps me on track with what I’d like to be fueling my body with, so that I’m not reaching for just anything! 

Grocery shopping. This can feel like a war zone these days. You may have heard “shop the perimeter” before. This tip is much underrated! Shopping the perimeter of a grocery store refers to the typical layout of fresh foods being along the walls of the store. For example: meats, produce, dairy products etc. 

When I’m sticking to the perimeter I’m buying fresh foods that are the base of my daily meals. It makes it much easier to nutritionally meet my needs without the noise of unnecessary products. This tip also helps me save money. Pre packaged health foods can be extremely expensive. When I’m prioritizing putting my dollars towards whole foods, it makes me less likely to fill my cart with expensive snacks and be more selective with what I really want/need. 

Meals do not have to make sense. What do I mean? Some days my lunch plate is extremely random. I’m pulling whatever foods that will help me meet my nutritional needs. They may not make any sense together but it doesn't matter! It feels like there's unnecessary pressure for our healthy meals to seem gourmet and well put together. This idea can be thrown out the window! The meal doesn't need to make sense, it just has to fuel you. Some days my lunch is a bowl of meat with a side plate full of miscellaneous fruits, veggies, nuts etc. to pack in my micronutrients! 

Eating out! When eating at restaurants I try to pay attention to my macros without overthinking it. Maybe getting a dish with a piece of salmon that comes with a vegetable and carb on the side. If you're a meat lover, great opportunity to get a nice steak with vegetables and potatoes! Personally, I find that Mexican restaurants make it very easy for me to order gluten free and to get whatever ingredients that I want in my meal. I often get a corn tortilla with chicken and guac as a base and then other toppings from there. 

Don’t take it too seriously!! There’s a difference between being mindful, and overly stressing about what goes in your mouth. Sometimes the stress of getting it right is more harmful than the misaligned nutrition. Small changes, small goals, and general wellness principles will get you much further than obsessing over calories and obsessing over each and every ingredient. Holistic eating is also a mindset. The intention of nourishing your body and feeding yourself in a way that fuels you is a beautiful way to steer your nutrition goals. Rather than the push/ pull and negative self-talk that can have you yoyoing for years. 

Although this is a very general outline of ways that I view my nutrition and eating habits. I hope that something helpful can be taken from the little things/ guidelines that help me feel my best day to day. Food is meant to serve you.