Eating in Moderation Helps Me Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Living a healthy lifestyle is not about unsustainable restrictive diets but allowing for some moderation. 

It's just not realistic to eliminate a favorite food forever from your diet. Nothing feels good or normal about that.

I consider my occasional splurges as part of my healthy eating and not even cheats. Because eating them in moderation is an enjoyable experience. It's called living a balanced healthy life.

I don't believe having a fresh-baked brownie now and then is cheating on my fitness program. I follow a 80/20 rule consuming a wide variety of good carbs, lean proteins, and healthy fats 80% of the time. I allow for 20% indulgence like a glass of wine or dark chocolate. These small treats won't derail my efforts as many of us are taught to believe. It's what you do consistently that defines what your body looks like.

I do feel indulgences need to be quality. I don't waste time on packaged process junk foods but will splurge on home-baked goods made with real ingredients. I also enjoy a good burger, gourmet pizza, and frozen yogurt with toppings. When I treat myself, I still want to be in control of the quality of the food. I also don't believe in having a free ticket to binge on thousands of calories on splurge day. That is defeating the purpose of a splurge meal or day. If I want a burger and fries, I enjoy the meal and move on.

I don't plan a treat day either but listen to my cravings. I work hard, eat clean 80 to 90 percent of the time and know eating a slice of apple pie Ala mode is not going to break my fitness bank. I will savor every bite of that indulgence without guilt. 

Food Considerations

Having treat meals is always a personal choice but sometimes there are physiological and psychological issues to consider. In these scenarios, eating certain foods can sometimes require expert advice before including them in your nutrition plan. The following list includes a few examples:

• Those suffering from emotional eating disorders may need to seek the guidance of a registered dietitian specializing in disordered eating.

• Some people have an unhealthy relationship with food and are triggered to use food for comfort or soothing emotional upset. Seeking the guidance of a qualified therapist or dietitian may be helpful in these circumstances.  

• Other people may have diagnosed medical conditions like Chron's Disease, Diabetes, or Celiac Disease where food intake may require being under the care of a physician. 

Healthy Balance

I eat in moderation for balance in my healthy lifestyle. Thinking we can sustain on boiled fish and broccoli is not realistic. I enjoy some sort of sweet treat or fun meal a couple of times weekly and still maintain a healthy body. It really comes down to how you apply to eat in moderation. It's not a reward for being deprived all week or for completing a hard workout.

Living a healthy lifestyle shouldn't feel like a burden or deprivation. If that's the case, a review of your current nutrition plan is advisable. An unsustainable nutrition plan will cause many of us to return to unhealthy eating habits. Life is too short not to eat healthily and it's also too short not to enjoy some splurges along the way.

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