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Arbitrary food rules are ubiquitous in our society, thanks todiet cultureandskewed views of what healthy eating actually is.
Lucas Ottone/Adobe Stock
But a lot of food rules are, frankly, total B.S.
They’re unnecessarilyrestrictive, unrealistic, or unscientificand, often, potentially bad for yourrelationship with food.
The problem is that rules are by definition one-size-fits-all, while we know thathealthy eating is anything but.
So it naturally follows that rigid, generic rules about eating aren’t going to work for everyone.
Get ready to add some items to your Things IDGAF About list.
That includes nutrient-rich foods likeyogurt,whole wheat bread,almond butter, and smokedsalmon, she points out.
Adding more produce and fresh food to your shopping cart when possible can be great.
ofStreet Smart Nutrition, tells SELF.
Though I get the intent, it is limiting.
Toss this outdated advice and curate a shopping list based on what you needpackaged and shelf-stable foods included.
Dont eat after X oclock.
Some people stop eating at a certain time because theyve heard eating before bed is bad for you.
Others implement a cutoff time to thwart their late-night cravings for snacky, bad foods.
Don’t emotionally eat.
We eat to celebrate and we eat to mourn, she says.
That said, eating should not be your onlycoping mechanism.
Singh recommends seeking support from a mental health provider if you are struggling to access other tools.
Cook from scratch to eat healthier.
When you feel like it and have the time, definitely make your scratch-made favorites, Garnett says.
But know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help from the grocery store.
Dont overdo it on the sugary fruit.
Yes,fruitcontains sugar.
Drink a glass of water when you’re hungry.
Thirst calls for hydration; hunger calls for food.
Whats more, This habit has the potential to diminish your bodys trust in you to nourish it regularly.
So by all means,stay hydrated.
But when youre hungry, eat.
Always choose the whole grain.
But that doesnt mean we need to condemn refined grains for eternity.
Anyhow, whats more important nutrition-wise is the balance of your meal as a whole.
Carbs are great and should be treated just like any other macronutrient, Ansari says.
And, Ansari adds, carbs often contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals your body really needs.
“Always sit down at a table to eat.”
The reality is that [some] meals will be messy and rushed, and that is okay.
