Unsure about healthy eating?

Confused ?‍♀️ about healthy eating?
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Totally understandable if you are given all of the rubbish info online and on Instagram- especially with so many sponsored posts. A few things to do to help you access credible info
✔️Follow pages of accredited Dietitians. Dietitians are governed by professional bodies which means the quality of info we provide must be credible or we could potentially lose our accreditation. While Dietitians are also ‘nutritionists’, there are countless ‘nutritionists’ who have no where near the same training. While often their info can also be great – check that they’re signing the same song as a Dietitian you trust
✖️Consider unfollowing ‘health experts’ who seem to do a large number of sponsored posts, they are likely to be promoting products that they may not buy otherwise. I have done the occasional sponsored post but only ever for foods I would actually be happy to buy and eat regularly
✔️Remember that everyone’s ‘healthy’ is different. Foods that I eat might make you feel sluggish or bloated and vice versa. Some people do better with less carbs, less dairy or no gluten. So always always listen to your body over everything you read or hear! If you need- get some individual advice and book an appointment with a dietitian.

Ah, the beloved age-old tradition of Sunday brunch, where sleepy heads warily emerge from their cozy beds to indulge in copious amounts of eggs Benedict and mimosas. One might think that this weekly feast is just about the food, but oh, dear reader, it is so much more than that.

Sunday brunch is a social affair, a time for friends to catch up over a stack of fluffy pancakes or debate the merits of sweet versus savory waffles. It’s a chance for families to bond over plates of bacon and hash browns, sharing stories and laughter in between bites of French toast smothered in syrup.

And let’s not forget the best part – the excuse to day drink before noon! There’s something glorious about sipping on a Bloody Mary or a bellini while the sun is still shining bright, with no judgment from your fellow brunch-goers. It’s practically a rule that calories don’t count during brunch hours, so why not go all out with that extra mimosa?

So next time you find yourself facing that empty spot on your weekend calendar, take a cue from the wise and make brunch plans. Whether you prefer a trendy spot with avocado toast or a classic diner with bottomless coffee, Sunday brunch is sure to leave you feeling satisfied – both in your stomach and in your soul. Cheers to brunch, the most important meal of the week!

Eat out, eat healthy.

**For more healthy eating strategies, sign up for my FREE Essential Volume Eating Course. Link in bio.**

These tips can be used both if you’re eating out more or getting more take away.
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While I do put these strategies to work most of the time, there are some times when I don’t follow any of them!
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1. Opt for protein and vegetable dishes over mixed dishes. Risotto, curries, pasta, ragouts etc tend to be more calorie dense and often have high calorie ingredients like oil, coconut cream, butter and cream added in larger quantities (but you can’t really tell because it’s all mixed together!).
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2. Order zero calorie drinks and only a moderate amount of alcohol (or go alcohol free!)
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3. Dressings on the side means you have control over how much you use!
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4. Grilled over fried will save you some cals.
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5. As will sharing a dessert.
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6. If your meal comes with chips, wedges or mash then request it be swapped for veg or salad.
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Deciding what you want from the menu BEFORE you go to the restaurant and get swept up in the moment also helps. ?
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How do you stay healthy when you’re eating out?

HEALTHY EATING ON A BUDGET ⁣⁣⠀
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It’s a misconception that healthy eating has to be expensive. It’s possible to eat cups of veggies, fresh fruit and lean proteins for just pennies a meal. It could take some prep and planning, but even the $7 day includes a store bought wrap! Double tap if you want me to do more of these and tag a friend who is a savvy shopper. ⁣⁣⠀
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Breakfast: 2 lb apples = $2.29, eggs were $1.99 per dozen, which works out to $0.38 per apple and $0.33 for 2 eggs. Add tablespoons of natural peanut butter for only a few cents more. ⁣⁣⠀
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Lunch: the tuna wrap was store bought from @traderjoes for $3.99 and would likely be under $2 to make yourself. Cucumbers were $2.29 for 6, thus $0.76 for 2 sliced cucumbers. ⁣⁣⠀
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Dinner: wow! What a delicious and inexpensive meal!! I placed a whole spaghetti squash in the oven for 45 minutes at 350°, rotating mid way. The whole squash was $2.49 and made about 10 cups. 1/4 of the squash, 2 1/2 cups, was only $0.62!!! The organic tofu block was only $1.79. I eat 1/3 of the block at a time, which works out to $0.62 per serving for a lean, plant-based protein! I cubed and sautéed it in a pan with a sprinkle of seasoning. I served it with 1/4 cup of marinara. The jar cost $1.79 and contains about 2 1/4 cups, making each serving $0.20. ⁣⁣⠀
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Feel free to add additional protein, fats and starches to the day as needed. This is just one sample without snacks, but I am happy to do more versions if you’d like

Are you promoting healthy eating, or are you promoting diet culture? In my opinion, there is a very fine line between the two. I think you’re more likely to be promoting diet culture if you have an unhealthy relationship with food or if you have a (diagnosed or undiagnosed) eating disorder. It is one thing to want to help others who do not have a clue about making healthier choices, and another thing to want to push a particular ideology on unsuspecting people.
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There is a lot of confusion on social media about diet and health, but I think it mainly comes from unqualified health bloggers. My advice to you is to be careful where you get your health/nutrition advice from. Diet is personal to every single one of us. No particular diet works exactly the same for everyone, it is wise to listen to advice but tweak it to suit your own needs. If you need extra help, consult a professional and do not google or take advice from unqualified individuals on social media. In most cases, social media ‘influencers’ are there to earn a living and will tell you whatever they think you want to hear to push an agenda or pay their bills. Not everyone is honest, and just because you see smiling faces in photos or stories, it doesn’t mean they know what they’re talking about or that they have your best interest at heart. ~
In my bowl, giant couscous with homemade mixed bean stew, tender stem ? & ?. Happy Thursday Lovelies ✨