From the moment food first flew toward us on a spoon with airplane noises, we’ve been eating. Our bodies need the nourishment to survive and as a result, our lives are tied to it. Sometimes, our emotions are too.<\/p>\n
Our parents made most of our food choices for us when we were growing up; oftentimes, those choices become our go-to staples later in life. Certain foods are comfort foods, tied to memories, traditions, and feelings, which can make changing our diets difficult and even painful. But what if our choices are hurting us instead of helping us?<\/p>\n
\u201cHealthy eating isn\u2019t about perfection or strict rules \u2013 it\u2019s about building a pattern that works for your life,\u201d said Kaitlyn Miele, a Registered Dietitian and Health Promotion and Wellness Team Lead at Capital Blue Cross. \u201cWhen you focus on balance, variety, and realistic changes, healthy choices become more sustainable and less overwhelming over time.\u201d<\/p>\n
What is a healthy eating plan?<\/strong><\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with the basics. According to the\u00a02025-2030<\/a>\u00a0Dietary Guidelines for Americans<\/a>, a healthy eating plan includes these recommendations:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Putting these recommendations into practice often starts with choosing foods in their simplest, least processed forms.<\/p>\n Dietitians and researchers generally define\u00a0highly processed<\/a>\u00a0(or ultra\u2011processed) foods as packaged, ready\u2011to\u2011eat products that tend to be high in added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats. That said, nutritious options can be found throughout the grocery store \u2013 if you know where to look.<\/p>\n \u201cReading ingredient lists and nutrition labels when grocery shopping can guide healthier choices,\u201d Miele said. \u201cChoosing a variety of minimally processed foods and paying attention to portion sizes can help create a realistic and sustainable approach to healthy eating.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tips and tricks for eating healthy<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re ready to dig deeper into what it means to eat healthy, use some of these tips and tricks:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Can you still eat comfort food and eat healthy?<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you have to give up comfort food? No! Comfort food is tied to memories and emotion as much as it is to taste buds.<\/p>\n The key is to enjoy these less nutritious dishes less often. Experiment with recipes that emphasize whole ingredients over more processed options.<\/p>\n Then, enjoy them with your old standbys. It\u2019s all about balance. Chances are, you\u2019ll discover something new and delicious to add to your recipe book.<\/p>\n Tips for comfort food:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eating healthy is about creating a healthier you, one bite-sized fruit at a time. One day, you\u2019ll look back and be amazed at the many small adjustments you\u2019ve made to eat healthy and be healthy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" From the moment food first flew toward us on a spoon with airplane noises, we’ve been eating. Our bodies need the nourishment to survive and as a result, our lives … Continue reading What \u2018eating healthy\u2019 really means and how to start improving your diet<\/span> \n
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