Eating healthy

Eating healthy is a popular topic in fitness, health and wellness circles, be it an internet article, social media content or conversations among fitness, health and wellness enthusiasts. 

An internet search defines healthy eating as "focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods. It emphasizes protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains." 

On first impression, this reads like a good explanation, but I beg to differ and have defined healthy eating differently in my fitness, health and wellness journey. 

For me, healthy eating is eating only the amount of food necessary to fuel your body to support the life you're living. 

This food should be nourishing and satiating, as you determine, and support your daily energy and strength requirements, but consumed only in amounts to achieve your bodyweight goal. 

If you're at your target bodyweight, healthy eating is eating only the calories necessary to maintain your bodyweight. 

If you're underweight, healthy eating is eating more calories than you expend from your daily living activities. 

If you're overweight, healthy eating is eating less calories than you expend from your daily living activities. 

Note that my definition of healthy eating focuses on the amount of food you eat, not your food choices. 

Like doughnuts? Eat whatever you like but stay within your calories allotment. 

Like bacon? The same, and this is so for all your other food desires, stay within your calories allotment. 

What you'll quickly realize is that poorer food choices, while they may give you a joyful moment, will leave you insufficiently nourished and satiated, and will likely not support your daily energy and strength requirements. 

You'll likely make better food choices the following day because healthy eating is only eating the calories needed to help you maintain or achieve your target bodyweight. 

It's analogous to spending your paycheck. Do it foolishly and you won't get a good financial result because when you spend all your money, there's no more left until next payday. 

Your fitness, health and wellness mileage may vary, but this is how I eat healthy. 

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum