Eating a nutrient dense, happy inducing diet :)

Diet is a word we misuse over and over on the daily.

Sure, it can be known as a special course of food to which a person restricts themselves to lose weight...
 However if you google the word diet yourself you will see that the definition above is the second definition for the word diet.

The first (and foremost) definition is simple. The kinds of food that a person, animal or community habitually eats.

Diet doesn't just refer to a calorically deficient, inevitably bland, restrictive eating plan that guarantees 'great weightloss' and a model-like body.

Nope. Diet is so much more... and yet so much simpler.

See, the problem I have with the above description of diet is this ingrained and even inherited idea suggests that the only way to be healthy and look your best is to torture yourself with your food choices.

You and I know just how much I love food and just how much I hate eating foods that make me unhappy. Sorry overly bland and cardboard like, low-carb/ other crazy bread invention. Sorry low-fat and barely-there-kilojoules quinoa milk (yes, it does exist)

So when I read eating plans like this, or here people claim that the only way they'll lose weight is to go on a delicious-food hiatus and live off steamed broccoli...

... I can't help but cry a little inside.

So what do I suggest then?
I suggest you do like the pros. The pros don't come in a set category with a title that I can specifically refer to. No, the pros are simply those who thrive off a diet filled with variety, tastiness, whole foods and awesomely prepared meals, don't fluctuate all over the place messing with their bodies natural set point, eat to the point of satiety and eat when they're hungry too. Who allow themselves the foods they truly desire. The pros that have this whole eating thing worked out (but are always making changes coinciding with the changes of their bodies).

Who eat breakfast when they rise in the morning:

 And fill it with so many nutrients and even more delicious flavours!!

 Green smoothie: 1 chopped frozen banana, 1 handful chopped, frozen zuchinni, 2 big handfuls spinach, 3 big scoops greek yoghurt, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1/2 cup soaked oats in almond milk, chia seeds, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, water- WHAZ!

 And enjoy every second of eating it! (In other words, are mindful of their happy eating time :)

 The pros don't stick to a rigid time plan, or the typical time-of-day foods. The pros listen to their bodies, what they're calling out for (quite often hinting at lacking nutrients!)

 Roasted white sweet potato wedges, raw veg (mini roma tomatoes, cucumber and capsicum) with a big dollop of hommus for dipping) and a bowl of popcorn on the side.

 The pros have worked out the idea that our bodies need nourishment and restricting food can only lead to problems. Instead? Load up on all the good stuff!

 Snacks also seem to occur in the pros diet. But again, snacks seem to have taken on a different meaning in this day and age, so let's bring it back to it's simple meaning: A small amount of food eaten between meals. So the pros know to keep their bodies chugging away and brimming with energy all day long, wholesome, nourishing snacks are essential.

And then along comes dinner:

 A time not to restrict even further, but again, a time to nourish the body for the long day of work it has given to us.
Carbs after dark won't kill us. Instead it will give the body the energy and nutrients it requires to rest and recover and rejuvenate throughout the night to prepare for the next exciting day to come!

 Roasted veg (pumpkin, potato, parsnip, swede, sweet potato, beetroot, baby carrots, brussels sprouts) roasted in olive oil with some drained and rinsed lentils and spinach.

The pros also know that a little something after dinner could be just what you need to wind out the body from eating and leave it happy and satisfied with the day of good, good food!

And we all have the capability of being pros- in fact a lot of us know what our bodies thrive on, we just have to make the conscious effort to respect the machine that keeps us running day in day out and feel the best we can.

So let's become pros!

Tell me:
Best thing you've eaten this passed week?
Favourite food, hands down, ever!?
Food that makes you feel your absolute best?

I hope you all have a little think about some of the things I've mentioned and look after yourselves and your bodies- because you deserve it! Have a fabulous rest of your day/ week/ year and I'll see you next time with some more food fun-ness!! Bye for now friendly friends!! :D