Creating a Nutritionally Balanced Meal Plan

The definition of self-care, according to Google, is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.

How ready are you to explore and create a nutritionally balanced food plan?

How important is your health and longevity to you?

We eat so frequently that it’s easy to choose a meal or snack without giving any thought to its nutrient components or health consequences.  Even when we want to make healthy choices, we may not know which foods to select or how much to eat.  Here are some tools and tips that you can learn to plan a healthy diet.

The principles of food planning:

Adequacy - means the diet provides sufficient energy and enough of all of the nutrients to meet the needs of healthy people.  Include foods that supply an adequate amount of all the nutrients your body needs.

Balance - the consumption of enough but not too much of each type of food.  Getting the balance from each of the food groups is important.

Energy Control - making sure overeating isn’t happening takes careful planning.  Balance plays a key role here and as the saying goes “the amount of energy coming into the body from foods should balance with the amount of energy expended by the body to sustain its metabolic and physical activities.  An upset in this balance leads to weight gain or weight loss.

Nutrient Density - eating well without overeating by choosing foods with the most nutrients for the least food energy.  Eg; a can of soft drink versus a handful of grapes may provide about the same amount of kilojoules but the grapes deliver many more nutrients.

Moderation - eating foods occasionally that are rich in fat and sugar (nutrient poor) is hard as we eat them for fun, comfort and energy but they promote weight gain when eaten in excess.

Variety - there is no variety in nutrients if you eat the same foods day after day.  Select foods from each of the food groups daily and make your choices different than the day before.  You will experience lots of different nutrients even with foods from the same food group.

To learn more about healthy eating join me for some 1:1 sessions where we can explore your eating habits, your health goals and the small steps needed to set you on the right path to your wellness. Click in the link below to book 4, 6 or 8 sessions.

Disclaimer:  I am not a medical professional.  As a Wellness Coach, I am not providing healthcare, medical or nutritional therapy services or attempting to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any physical, mental or emotional issue.  The information provided on my website, posts, material etc. is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnoses or treatment.  Always seek advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider before undertaking a new health regimen.