What Even is a Diet? and How To Go About Healthy Eating?

Jun 11

What are we wanting out of a diet? Why do we do them? Are we at our health goals or do we have this idea of what our body should look like?

These are all the questions we should ask ourselves because diets are unattainable and the best way to go about it is finding a type of eating style that will work best for you. On the plus side you won't be eating only low carb or high protein, instead you will give your body what it needs and what you would like to eat, and that in itself will guide you to eating well. Limiting the number of times you eat out and making sure you are choosing healthier options without the overconsumption of junk food especially the overly processed food. There’s not a perfect way to eat but there’s a balance to what will make you feel an overall better you.

There are so many trends such as vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, plant-based, and carnivores. These food trends can actually be good for your body if done properly here’s what they mean and you decide if one can work for you. I’ve been on a vegetarian diet for 12 years it didn’t start off healthy but I found a way that works for me. Eating in any one of these categories aren’t better than the other but eating too much of one thing can harm people. Too much red meat, too many faux meat alternatives, and eating overly processed vegan products especially the dairy substitutes can harm one's body.

The stigma of being vegan doesn't mean you’re healthy, being vegetarian doesn’t mean you’re getting all the adequate nutrients, and eating a mainly meat-heavy diet might not be the best way to go. Know what is suitable for you while incorporating sustainably sourced meat, high quality dairy, and eating foods in their purest form without buying into the highly processed alternatives. The takeaway is to learn to portion your meals, make more meals at home, and also to know what to look for when going out to a restaurant.

Vegetarian:

No Meat/Chicken/Pork/Beef/Seafood

Nothing can be made from animal products such as broth, flavorings, fish sauce, dressings that include sardines, and animal rennet that could be found in pesto. p.s. many of these animal products even show up in simple things like chips and french fries.

Eggs

Vegetables & Fruits

Tofu / Soy Products

Honey

Beans & Legumes are the main sources of protein along with well-sourced dairy

Alternative Meats / Dairy

Pescatarian:

A vegetarian diet but eats seafood as their main protein source

Can also eat seafood broths, fish sauce, products that include dried shrimp

Dairy

Eggs

Fruits & Vegetables

Beans & Legumes

Tofu / Soy Products

Honey

Alternative Milk

Vegan:

Fruits & Vegetables

Meat alternatives

Dairy alternatives

Soy products

Cannot eat Honey

Main protein would be sourced from beans & legumes sometimes meat alternatives

Plant-Based:

Similar to vegetarian but mostly plants can still have small amounts of animal products

Fruits & vegetables

Nuts, Beans & Legumes

No meat alternatives unless made from grains

Dairy alternatives are more nut-based than overly processed soy products

Carnivore:

The protein source is mainly from meat/chicken/seafood/beef

Dairy

Eggs

Animal Products

Lack of dairy alternatives

Lack of meat alternatives

Fruit and Vegetables can be intertwined

Eliminating meat in your diet doesn’t mean another type of eating is better, for some people it can work, for others, your body might need some form of protein in the diet. Although limiting how many animal products you eat is good for your digestion because it does take some time to fully digest those products and can make your gallbladder work harder. Always eat good quality fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. As for vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based diets be aware of taking a supplement such as B12 to counteract the lack of animal protein in your diet so you don’t become deficient.

Making food at home and what does that look like?

Choose healthy fats and oils they are needed in your body; olive oil, pasture-raised butter, coconut oil, coconut butter all in moderation.
If you have a fast-paced lifestyle and need to buy frozen foods then know how to read the labels, pick packaged items by looking for the option with the least additives (those are the sneaky chemicals they add into food so that it stays fresher longer).
Limit alcohol consumption it takes days to expel from your body.
Drink mostly water & tea, limit the amount of excess sugary drinks including those that have artificial sweeteners.
Eat the bread! Carbs are not the worst thing for your body but you need good carbs to get energy for the day. Stay away from pastries, white bread, and non-nutritious white starches.
Indulging in something sweet is fine. Make sure it’s in moderation and not coming from white flour, hydrogenated oils, or white sugar. Dark chocolate is one of the best choices.
Snack throughout the day so you don’t over consume during your main meals.

If you are eating out here’s what to look for:

Farm to table settings
Restaurants that use organic produce
Locally sourced

Everything in life needs moderation. You can enjoy yourself and go out to eat but that needs limitation. I listed below a few of my favorite places for snacks or a quick bite in Los Angeles.