Part of having a healthy relationship with food is having knowledge and understanding about the foods that you’re eating and how they help your body.
After all, we can’t truly have a good relationship with something/someone if we don’t actually know them, right?
What is a healthy carbohydrate? A healthy carbohydrate is a complex carb that is made up of long chains of sugar molecules. These carbohydrates take longer to break down in your body. What does this mean? This means that your body has a longer time to absorb the nutrients from these carbohydrates. These carbohydrates keep you full for longer, and they help to stabilize your blood sugar.
Some examples of healthy carbohydrates are:
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Quinoa
- Berries
- Bananas
- Nuts/Seeds
Healthy, complex carbohydrates come from real, whole foods. Processed foods, such as chips, are not healthy carbohydrates. So, when you’re picking a carbohydrate to eat, think whole foods/not processed, and refer back to this list if you forget what some of those are. And even though these are the “healthier” carbohydrates, remember that you are allowed to eat the “unhealth” carbohydrates as well!
You are allowed to enjoy the foods you love AS WELL as the foods that are good for you. Just make sure that you are eating and enjoying BOTH, not just one or the other.
What is a healthy fat? When you look at a nutrition label on your food, there is a “fat” section that has the total fat and then normally it has “saturated” and “unsaturated” fats listed below it. You want to pick foods that are higher in unsaturated fats and low in saturated fats. Unsaturated fats, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids are all healthier fats for your body. These are the fats that your body absorbs better; they are utilized more efficiently and they don’t build up in your body/clog your arteries as quickly.
So what are some healthy fats?
- Avocados
- Nuts/Seeds
- Olive oil
- Salmon
Even though these fats are known as “healthy,” you still don’t want to be consuming too much fat in your diet. But you are also allowed to enjoy healthier fats, and also the unhealthy fats! Everything in moderation is the key to building a healthy relationship with food.
Lastly, what is a healthy protein?! A healthy protein is a high quality protein that is highest in protein and low in fats/carbs. A high quality/healthy protein is also lean and low in sodium. These proteins are dense in nutrients for your body to absorb and utilize!
So what are some healthy proteins?
- Eggs
- Fish
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Ground Beef (80% +)
- Beans
- Cottage cheese
When you are buying meats at the store, always look for the higher percentages. 80% lean and above are what you want to aim for. All that this means is that they are higher in protein and lower in fat! Again, remember that you are allowed to enjoy your proteins, but aim for more of the healthy options!
Food can be such a tricky thing to know, understand, and have a good relationship with. I hope that this information helps you a little, and don’t forget that food is your friend!
You are allowed to enjoy it all, but pick those healthy options also!
*Disclaimer: The views expressed by the writer are in their personal capacity only and aren’t to be replaced with medical advise.
Abby Horst
A podcaster, wife, health/wellness coach, beach lover, and musician. She specialises in nutrition education, meal planning, and developing sustainable habits. She passionately works with her patients to help them build healthier and happier relationships with food, exercise, and themselves.
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