Modern nutrition science is complicated. It may be the only science where two researchers can prove two different dietary theories that are completely diametrically opposed to one another. 

Have a preference for eating meat? No problem, there are many studies to back up the benefits! Do you feel better on a plant-based diet? No problem, there are just as many studies to back that up! 

It’s enough to make your head spin! 

I’ve spoken about nutrition confusion so today I want to talk about another way to frame the question, “what should I eat?” 

As a board certified holistic health coach and someone who has experimented with many different (sometimes extreme) diets – vegetarian, raw, vegan, fruitarian, fasting, 80/10/10, I can tell you that what I’ve learned through my personal nutrition odyssey is that food is only one piece of the puzzle. It’s an important one, but it’s not the only factor that contributes to health and well-being. We’ll get into that more another time, but for today, let’s talk about food and how to answer the question “what should I eat?” so you can find true food freedom forever. 

We can all agree that food is energy. But I’m not talking about the old out-dated concept of calories here, which by definition is used to measure the amount of “energy” you get from the food you eat. This old model implies that all calories are created equally, and we know now that that’s simply not true. The calories in an apple and the calories in a low fat snack bar are very different indeed. 

To monitor whether a food is giving you energy, you have to begin to fully embody your experience. To feel into your body. I write about the concept of Embodied Nutrition here, but for now I’d like you to try to simply check in with your body after you eat. 

Ask yourself questions like:
 

• Do I feel alert? 
• Do I feel energized?
• Do I feel nourished?
• Do I feel sluggish?
• Do I feel foggy? 
• Do I feel like I could lie down and take a nap?
• Do I feel satiated? 

This is a simple practice that will teach you to tune in to your magnificent body to answer the question “what should I eat?” and many more like it where your health and well-being are concerned. 

It’s also a practice that will guide you to eating foods that are best for your body. No two people are the same, so what is a healthy food for me, might very well be your kryptonite, and vice versa. 

All that being said, when it comes to following the basic guidelines for the most optimal diet for the human body, I like to focus on foods that exist in nature.

Fruit
Vegetables
Nuts
Seeds
Legumes 
Beans
Whole grains 

Eating according to nature is so simple that it’s often overlooked, but the truth is that when you eat food that is aligned with nature, it’s easier to digest, absorb, and assimilate the good stuff, while effortlessly eliminating the waste. 

Michael Pollan really did say it best, “eat food, mostly plants, not too much. And by food, he meant real food. Food that doesn’t require a label or a package. Food that is not processed or altered from its original state. 

Let’s simplify food and eating, shall we? 

When you embrace the concept of eating according to nature, you give yourself the chance to reconnect with the wisdom of your body and align it with the natural world. Tap into the abundance of fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods that nourish you from the inside out. Eating this way allows you to honor your body as a sacred vessel and approach nutrition with curiosity, clarity, and compassion. It is a simple but powerful shift that can have a profound impact on your journey towards true health and embodied well-being.