The way I see it, our society’s grown to be obsessed with food, weight management and fitness. Not saying this is a bad thing, especially considering that our country’s obesity population is dangerously increasing. But, I feel that we are constantly bombarded with the “newest” diet fads, nutrition-must do’s, and “best workouts ever!” Just walking into the grocery store overwhelms me with the plethora of food choices – have you seen the cereal line? I mean, a whole aisle just for cereal! Not to mention the immense amount of nutritional advertising telling us what to eat and why. Even worse, not all of the advertising claims are true.

So what do we do? We all want to be healthy and in shape, eat properly, look and feel well. But, if you’re like me, it’s easy to get lost in the information-overload world of nutrition. One day you’re told to eat a certain food, take a certain vitamin…the next day you’re told to throw it out because it causes cancer! So, to ease the pain and confusion, I like to stick to a couple simple and healthy eating tips.

#1. Feed your body for health, vitality, and energy.

Yup, simple and basic, but one of the most essential principles. With the mass amount of diets, sugar-free, fat-free, weight-loss food products out there, I feel like we’ve somehow forgotten the nutritional value for food. Remember, you eat to fuel your body with nutrients for your own wellness and functioning. Make food choices that are packed with vital nutrients for your health. Don’t pat yourself on the back for eating a sugar-free, artificially flavored, nutrient-lacking pudding cup because it’s only 60 calories. How about opting for an ounce of almonds? Sure, you’re going to get a bit more calories, but those calories are filled with healthy omega fats, protein, and essential nutrients. So you want something sweet? How about a little wedge of antioxidant packed, heart-healthy dark chocolate that’s only about 35-50 calories for a small piece.  It’s great to calorie count, but make sure those calories are filled with the nutrition your body needs for optimum health.

#2. Eat wholesome and colorful.

Again, another simple one but with all the nutritional benefits. Fill up your grocery cart with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, raw nuts, eggs, and organic protein sources like fish (I prefer salmon), chicken, and sometimes red meat. Oh, and yes, I said it – organic! By this, I mean its better to stick with organic fish or meats to avoid the dangers of the nasty things they feed animals to increase in size and production. The same goes for fruits and vegetables, but hey, we don’t want to go broke here. So, make sure you pick fresh produce and wash every item before you even think about putting it in your mouth.

Also, get colorful! How about a rainbow diet?…cheesy, I know, but you get the picture…Fill up on the various fruits, vegetables, and grains around and you’ll be receiving the best nutritional benefits just by adding color to your diet.

So, to summarize, try your best to stay away from packaged and processed foods. Pick foods that are wholesome, raw, and colorful for your health.

#3. Cook your own meals.

Yes, it’s true, spending time in the kitchen, chopping up vegetables, grilling some chicken, setting the table…it’s all going to help you stay healthy. Sorry, but you’re going to have to do some more dishes. But, hey! You’ll be rewarded with the benefits of cooking healthy meals and knowing what exactly is going into your body.

Ok, ok, so you’re tired or just don’t have the time. Well, that doesn’t mean you should just order in a greasy pizza! There are plenty of healthy and all-natural frozen entrée options out there, you just need to look. Try health-food brands that use the least artificial ingredients and create balanced meals. If you can, go for organic items. I found this neat article, by Laura Klein, that gives 17 tips for shopping organic: http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food/organic-food-articles/top-tips-for-shopping-for-organic-foods-on-a-budget.html

The same idea goes when eating out. If you really want to stick with a healthy diet, go to restaurants that you know cook healthy, natural meals. If you can, check their websites to see if they offer nutritional information for each entrée. Still don’t know what to get? Check out www.eatthisnotthatbook.com, which lists some of the top fast-food joints and restaurant nutritional information.

#4. Fuel your body frequently.

Remember, I like to use the term fuel to express how we feed our bodies. We need to eat to function and live, but we need to eat healthy to live well and live longer. So, when I think of eating, I think about fueling my body with essential nutrients to supply the energy it needs, instead of just thinking about feeding myself empty calories which leads me to make bad eating choices.

Anyways, back to my fourth principle: Eating about five to even six times a day is a great way to stay energized, keep your metabolism running, and stabilize your blood sugar levels. Oh…and keep you in a good mood! Now, this doesn’t mean you eat a huge meal five times a day. Instead, you’ll start your day with a good, nutrient dense breakfast, like some whole grain oatmeal with chopped fruit and a side of scrambled egg whites. Then, a couple hours later, have a little snack. Snacks, like meals, should be balanced with a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and a little healthy fat. My favorite snacks include an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter, or three ounces of baby carrots with a lowfat string cheese, or even a hardboiled egg and a handful of grapes. So, a couple hours after a midmorning snack, have some lunch. Then, again, go for an afternoon snack. Finally, finish your day with a wholesome dinner.

There are plenty of websites that offer healthy snack ideas, such as http://www.wholeliving.com/photogallery/healthy-snack-recipes

And www.allrecipes.com.

With this type of daily diet, you’ll find that you’re less hungry between meals, and you’ll actually eat smaller (yet still healthy and nutrient packed) main meals. By giving your body the fuel it needs throughout the day, your bodily functions will improve. You’ll curb your hunger and your body will never sense the need to go into starvation mode, or start to store food, waiting for the next big meal. Plus, you’ll be stabilizing your blood sugar and insulin levels, allowing your metabolism to increase and burn more calories and you’ll have constant energy throughout the day.

Now, I have to say that you can go wrong with the five-time plan if you don’t follow a healthy diet and lack self-control. So, remember to: learn portion control, plan meals ahead, balance every snack and meal with healthy nutrition essentials, and never wait too long to eat.

#5. We’re not perfect…

That’s right, there really is no such thing as perfect. I can preach to you all day about eating right, but sometimes…you just gotta have that slice of cake! And guess what, go for it. What’s life without a little indulgence here or there?

Personally, I like to follow an 80/20 philosophy. By this, I eat the best I can, make healthy choices and stick to my workout routine all throughout the week. But! I allow one day, a “cheat” day, where I just let myself relax and eat the foods I crave. So I want to be a kid again and eat Fruity Pebbles for breakfast? Or I’ve really been craving that creamy, lobster ravioli from the best Italian restaurant I know, and not to forget their delicious tiramisu. Well, guess what – it’s all mine on cheat day!

There’s different ways to follow an 80/20 philosophy. You can spare a little indulgence a couple days throughout the week, or save it for one day like I do. Bottom line here is the principle: that you eat wholesome and healthy 80% of the time, and allow for a little bit of sweetness and indulgence 20% of the time.

Like I said, no body is perfect. Constantly striving to eat perfectly, look perfect, be perfect, will only set you up for a crash and burn at some point. We have this one life to live. Live it to the fullest, be the best you can, and treat yourself well with healthy habits and care. But never forget to live a little, indulge in the flavors and wonders of life! And every once in a while…have a slice of cake!