NUTRITION IS INDIVIDUAL

When we say Nutrition is Individual it means that physically, down to the genetic level, everyone processes foods differently. This is why some of us have great grandparents who lived to be 101 years old while smoking tobacco, drinking whiskey, and eating bacon and lard every day of their lives, and others can’t look at a cheeseburger without our arteries clogging.

One person can eat a bowl of cereal with no problems and another can eat the same cereal and it can cause a serious spike in their blood sugar.

Why is this so important?

Because health, nutrition, and weight loss tend to get painted with the wide brush of “If it worked for her, it should work for me”. And this is simply not the truth.

It MIGHT work for you. 

It might not. 

It might work for your neighbor, your sister, your friend, or your co-worker, but for you….not so much. 

This is why as a health and nutrition coach I continue to stress the importance of finding what works for you on an individual level on your health and weight loss journey, especially when it comes to your nutrition.

Are there basic tenets of nutrition that work on a broader level for many people? Yes.

Eat mostly vegetables and fruits, eat whole grains, eat lean sources of protein, eat healthy fats.

But individual factors are going to affect what nutritional approach works best for you. Cultural, economic, social, medical, and even personal preference are going to determine what you eat on a daily basis.

For example, if you and your family are struggling financially, it isn’t rational to expect you to purchase only grass-fed, pasture-raised poultry or beef. They are more expensive, and even though they are more nutrient-dense, it might not be feasible for your family to purchase these items consistently.

If anyone in your family has medical issues (Celiac Disease, Diabetes, etc.), you are going to need to factor those restrictions into your daily food choices.

So, what are some things you can do for yourself as a busy mom, as well as your family, when it comes to healthy eating while considering individual nutrition needs?

These are the 3 FASTEST ways to improve your nutrition, and the SIMPLEST ways to get started while still considering individual needs.

1.       Cut out ultra-processed foods as much as possible. While I understand time, financial, and other personal constraints, the easiest way to improve your nutrition and that of your family is to cut the ultra-processed stuff. A simple way to judge this one is to avoid it if one of the first 3 ingredients is sugar. Or if there are ANY trans-fats or hydrogenated oils.
2.        Make ¼ of your plate lean protein, ¼ whole grains, a little MORE than ¼ vegetables, and the rest fruits. This gets more complicated when you make something like a casserole, pasta and sauce, etc., but in those cases it’s okay to try and guesstimate your plate portions as opposed to not trying at all. You’re going to get close. And that is good enough as a place to start.
3.           Add as many whole foods as you can. Again, if you’re in the beginning stages of changing your nutrition and healthy eating habits, it’s better to ADD foods in as opposed to trying to take them out (ultra-processed being the exception). But by adding foods in it will actually HELP with cutting the not-so-healthy foods out. You’re not telling yourself “No”, you’re just telling yourself “Later”. And many times “Later” doesn’t happen because you’ve eaten the healthy choice and satisfied your hunger in a nutritious way.

We feel like we have to jump through hoops and complicate the process of improving our nutrition and eating healthier. But in reality, to improve our individual nutrition needs, even when we have other family members to think about, it can be as simple as the 3 suggestions here. Eventually, if you stick with it and work with your family to continue making healthy choices, your habits are going to change and it will be part of your daily routine to enjoy healthy, nutritious foods that meet all your family’s needs.

And if you would like help creating health, nutrition, or weight loss habits that last, Book a FREE Consultation with me.