#NutritionTipTuesday is all about eating healthier. Most people I know would like to eat healthier, but are overwhelmed by the process of figuring out how to eat healthier. I get it. There's a lot to keep track of, and a lot of approaches promising results. Today, I wanted to simplify all that down to a level that is easy to understand and utilize, as well as individualize to YOU!
I want you to make a list of green light foods, yellow light foods, and red light foods. I guess that's three lists. Whatever. You get it. Then hopefully you'll eat more green light foods than yellow or red light foods. Really it's up to you, but as a nutrition coach I think that would be a good idea for looking and feeling your best.
So, let's define these foods.
- Green light foods are foods that help you feel awesome. Protein sources, veggies, fruits, and other whole foods usually appear on this list.
- Yellow light foods are foods that aren't super nutritious. You feel fine after eating them in the right portions, but sometimes keeping those portions in check is difficult, so you need to use caution.
- Red light foods are trigger foods that lead to overeating and not feeling great. They're SUPER delicious, but if you're being honest with yourself, you probably don't need them for physical health purposes.
The only foods on these lists should be things you like. Run this experiment with them. It will help you enjoy what you eat more.
So now you have 3 lists of foods that you enjoy eating, as well as an experiment to enjoy them even more. In my opinion, that is much better than a list of foods to avoid.
Green light foods help you feel your best, and ideally you can moderate your red and yellow light foods so you still feel fine after eating them. As for how much you eat of each, that's up to you.
This blog is about you enjoying your food to the max, and feeling your best. That's why I eat, so I eat lots of green light foods. They are also best for weight loss. If that's what you're looking to accomplish, green light foods are still your friends. My clients have lost a lot of weight doing this and felt very sane and confident through the process.
(PRO-TIP: If your green light food list is a little short, feel free to make a separate list of green light foods you've never tried, or prepared a certain way, but are curious about. Then try 'em some time!)
Down With The Fitness is here to give you simple, actionable tips that will improve your health. If you found this helpful, feel free to check out the archives for more.
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Have fun and do your best,
