�鶹AV

Tiny baby disclaimer: This article is not meant to be inspiration for dieting or eating a particular way. We are all made uniquely and have different needs, wants, and preferences. Eat how you want to eat, and understand that our food is what fuels us and, ultimately, makes us who we are ☺️

Greetings! I hope everyone’s day is going well. I got back from the gym just a little bit ago, and I’ve settled down at my computer to get some work done with some lunch. Being a nutrition sciences major, you learn a lot about the foods that we “are” and “aren’t” supposed to eat. However, as all of us tend to be under heavy influence – consciously or unconsciously – of diet culture, we often see foods as “good” or “bad.”

The way I see it? Food is food, but not all of them are the same. Every food has a different nutrient to offer: whether it be carbohydrates, proteins, fats, or joy (this is a food group meant for the heart!). While I have my own set of foods that I enjoy eating and love whole-heartedly, there are certainly a few basics that I bounce back to.

So, here’s a little bit of what I eat in a day, and why.

Usually, I try to start my breakfasts out with a high-protein option. Whether this be a protein-filled batch of overnight oats, a classic yogurt bowl, or some eggs with toast, starting strong with my protein intake in the morning sets me up for success. Why? Not only does protein keep one satiated for longer, but it helps avoid acute spikes in blood sugar that may cause a crash in energy later on. Today, I had a glorious bowl of overnight oats topped with some blueberry compote, chopped apple, chia seeds, honey, and peanut butter. Tasty, nom nom.

Ah, yes: Lunch. Somehow so simple, but so impossible to put together. Does anyone else struggle with this? Breakfast and dinner are always so easy to come up with, but lunch??? What a challenge. So, with some help from Pinterest, I usually come up with some version of a wrap, sandwich, a good salad (not just lettuce), and usually follow it up with something sweet. Because breakfast was pretty dense, I settled for something light: two pieces of smoked salmon on toast (with cream cheese) sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning and freshly cracked pepper, and a salad on the side. *Chef’s kiss* Not only offering a balanced dose of carbs, protein and fiber, salmon is good for fats known as Omega-3. These fats are anti-inflammatory and can even play a role in lowering one’s risk of heart disease.

For the sweet? 85% dark chocolate. Little dose of iron and serotonin. My boyfriend can’t stand the stuff, but I’d eat an entire bar if I wouldn’t get sick from it, lol.

At the end of the day, I’m usually ravenous and ready to tear apart my fridge. My boyfriend doesn’t really cook (his version of cooking is takeout, lol) so I’ll usually pull together something that I’ve pre-made or is easy to make. My dinners usually take the form of a vegetable, a carbohydrate, and a protein. For this meal, it was ground turkey, sweet potatoes, and some roasted asparagus. Right now, this meal has entered the top five in my dinner rotation. Not only does this meal support my skin and gut health (beta carotene/fiber), but it offers a lean protein that will satiate me for the rest of the night.

With that being said, those are my meals for today. Just today. Tomorrow, I could be knee-deep in Chinese take-out or a salad. I don’t know. Our bodies and their asks change daily, even though they may be craving the same nutrients. Being mindful about what you’re putting into your body can help discover if you’re lacking in any major nutrient sources or just what your body does well with versus not. I hope that everyone has a great day, and is reminded to pay attention to the thing that carries you and– quite literally –lifts you up: your body.

Bye for now,
Bea