Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

There are so many voices all around us saying that they alone have found the magic key to lasting health, and it can be difficult to sort through who has valuable information and who doesn’t. 

Should you believe it when your neighbor tells you that drinking celery juice or apple cider vinegar is a ‘proven’ method of fat burning? Or should you believe that eating a balance of proteins, fats, and carbs is the real key to a healthy life? There’s so much advice out there, and a lot of it unfortunately just isn’t true. 

Today, I want to talk about how you can sort through the noise and know who to trust for health advice. 

It’s important to understand that there’s a range of “truth” in the health world. What works for one body may not work for another, and food allergies and sensitivities are a great example of that. For example, nightshades like bell peppers and tomatoes are a group of foods that people have intolerances to, and need to avoid. However, I don’t have any intolerance to them, so they’re great for me! Just because something works in one routine doesn’t always mean it will work for another. There is no one size fits all. 

At the same time, however, there are some “tricks” that simply aren’t magic as they claim to be. Juice fasts and celery juice in the morning are a couple of the “tricks” you should watch out for. (Of course, if you’re trading 2 donuts and a large caramel macchiato for some celery juice, eggs and fruit, you’re definitely trading up. But still, no magic to the celery :) )

Unfortunately, there is no easy button or magic potion for health. There are just good, solid basics to follow. 

I have a free guide called 7 Nutrition Myths that can help you out with understanding where to start. Let me know in the comments if you’re interested, and I can get a copy for you!

Another really popular myth out there right now is that carbs are bad. Low-carb diets are all the rage, and if you follow what some people say is the trick to health, you’ll probably miss out on eating some of your favorite foods–or you’ll overeat them when you crack from restricting yourself for so long. Just like fruits and veggies, pastas and breads have a place in a healthy, balanced diet. You need a good balance of protein, fat, and carbs in every meal to regulate your blood sugar, circulation, and digestion. 

So how do you know what works and what doesn’t? A good rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is. 

What you put into your body makes a difference. If you eat balanced meals, you won’t feel too hungry or too full, and you won’t suffer from feeling hangry like you would if you restricted yourself. 

There’s a reason why a juice fast or drinking celery juice every morning has helped some people lose weight: it’s because they were drinking that juice in place of a sugary coffee or cold pizza breakfast. It’s true that juice is a healthier option than those foods, but you still need protein, fat and carbs to make it a balanced meal! You don’t need to go on a liquid diet to reach your goals. It’s so much healthier, efficient, and sustainable to eat a balanced diet than to restrict yourself. 

Let your health meet you where you are. Don’t try to throw everything out and create a radical shift in your lifestyle; it won’t stick. 

Make one small change at a time, and you’ll reach your goals before you know it! Instead of going on a juice cleanse, swap out a breakfast of cold pizza or a doughnut for an egg sandwich or greek yogurt with berries. Instead of having a sugary coffee every single day, opt for a cup of joe without all the added sugar, except for as an occasional treat. 

You don’t have to cut out all of your favorite things to be healthy; true health will come when you learn it’s all about balance. 

What’s your go-to breakfast food? Let me know in the comments!

If you’re in the Boston area (or willing to travel!), please mark your calendars for March 5th at 2pm for a very special in-person event at the Lynnfield Marketplace. Let me know if you’re going to join in! 

If you need some inspiration for healthy living, please join me in my Facebook group Never Diet Again for a great community filled with great discussion!