Easiest trick to eating healthy - buy what’s on sale
Are you like this too? Where you put so much thought into something until it overwhelms you to the point where you don't want to be bothered with it anymore? I remember when I first began my nutritionist program, I wanted to "practice what I preach" and tried to create a meal plan for myself that considered all aspects of what I was learning - food combining, digestive/hormonal/mood support, cooking methods to best preserve different vitamins ...etc., I got so frustrated that I went for a walk and ended up at Wendy's with a burger and fries.
Since then, I have learned so much more about how differently "healthy eating" can look for everybody, for every body. But if I have to pick only one rule to share that you can apply right now, then I would say eating what’s on sale. Let me explain. With summer just around the corner, head to your nearest farmers market and see what's on sale - which is also going to be what’s in season. Animals do this! Okay, not the farmer's market part :p But animals are impressively instinctive about what nutrients their body need for different occasions. Did you know male moose will eat more aquatic plants in the spring summer time for a boost in sodium, which help their antlers to grow - a very sexy trait in the eyes of their moose lady friend. Point being, if the thought of healthy eating stresses you out, start by eating what your local markets sell.
Higher quality at a lower cost
Fruits and veggies picked for immediate consumptions don't require special greenhouse, transportation or storage cost. Which also means they are much higher in nutritional content as antioxidants like vitamin C and A rapidly declines after harvesting. Most importantly, in season produce are naturally ripen which makes them taste SO much better. Try this, go buy a beefsteak tomato at the market, slice it up and layer it with some soft mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leafs, drizzle on some olive oil and balsamic vinegar and finish it with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Trust me on this, you will not want to have another watery tomato ever again.
Say no to toxins
Unlike animals, we humans have the luxury of having any fruit we crave whenever we want. Thanks to ripening agents and gases that allows produce to last through the long international trips. But isn't that illegal? You might ask. Here's a not so fun fact - "Since 2005, U.S. production and import of methyl bromide is banned, except for uses that qualify for "quarantine and pre-shipment" purposes and for certain agriculture applications under a "critical use exemption" loophole... " This means methyl bromide products continue to be available in the food we consume. This is not to mention the pesticide and herbicide used by mass produced commercial farmers. The best way to enjoy off season fruits? Freeze them during their peak season!
Follow the nature
Very much like animals, our body's nutritional needs actually changes as the season changes. Summer produce like stone fruits are high in vitamin A and other carotenoid which play a key role in sun damage protection. Winter citrus are high in vitamin C which gives us a boost of immunity during the time where our body is most susceptible to cold and flus. Finally, you know those heart potatoes and pumpkin autumn is known for? Well, like squirrels and deers, this is the nature's way of helping us store up on extra fuel for the cold months ahead. Eating according to the cycle of nature also makes it so easy to eat a variety of produce which ensures you get adequate amount of your micro and macronutrients without much effort!
References-
https://www.ndtv.com/health/nutritionist-shares-top-5-health-benefits-of-eating-seasonal-food-2374597
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1946724/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4495928/
https://rangerplanet.com/what-do-moose-eat-moose-diet-by-season-and-location/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6078865/
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/reregistration/fs_PC-053201_10-Jul-08.pdf
