Balance in Simplicity

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the millions and billions of recipes out in the world - trust me, I get it. I oftentimes get asked where I find my recipes or how I go about planning my meals, but more times than not, I don’t use recipes. Of course recipes are necessary when trying something new, but I believe keeping things simple tends to give people the results they’re looking for - easy, healthy, tasty meals. Before you can master a five star dinner, you must first understand the building blocks you’re working with. The three keys to a balanced plate that I follow are: fat, fiber, protein.

The Importance of Balanced Meals

It is important to include a variety of food groups in your diet, as each component play a vital role in your overall health.

• Proteins help build and repair tissues.

• Carbohydrates provide energy.

• Healthy fats support cell growth and protect your organs.

  
  

By understanding the importance of these food groups, you can create meals that are both satisfying and beneficial.

Scheduling Meals

People are always searching for the “perfect” when, where, and how of eating. The truth is, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way of eating, because it all comes down to the individual in question. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s important to try different eating routines to find out what works best for you and your body.

Traditionally, meals are categorized into four categories: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. There are many things to keep in mind when planning your meals, but the most important are nutrients, satiety, and satisfaction.

• Satiety - the feeling of fullness after a meal

• Satisfaction - mental contentment and fulfillment

Satisfaction can be met through a variety of factors including flavor, time to enjoy a meal, your environment, what happened leading up to your meal, and so on. Understanding how to maximize the flavor of your meals will make your eating experience insurmountable and will make eating healthier all the more easier.

Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Culinary Experience

Eating well doesn't have to be complicated. When you can build your plate around important nutrients and the foods you love and enjoy, you will find that “healthy eating” is way more do-able than you may have thought. By incorporating different food groups and trying new recipes, you can find ease and fulfillment in a healthy lifestyle.