People always ask me, “What do you eat?” My answer is usually, “Everything.”

But when we get into the specifics, that "everything" comes with a few major caveats:

• No soda or soft drinks of ANY kind!
• No fast food. Unless I am stranded in the middle of nowhere and desperate, it’s off the menu.
• Limited processed food. I try to avoid it entirely. Do I slip up? Sure. Once in a blue moon, walking through NYC with my kids, I might say yes to a street hot dog. But it’s rare.

I’m guessing my plate looks boring to most people. I remember sharing meal suggestions with a client who laughed and said, “I followed your advice and now I feel like I’m eating like a bunny! But in a good way.” She had never thought to load her plate with that many vegetables before.

So, what does this 'boring' plate actually look like? Usually, it’s simple: A piece of grilled protein (chicken or fish), a healthy fat (avocado or olive oil), and half the plate filled with something green. No sauces with 20 ingredients, just salt, pepper, and lemon.

Research consistently shows that you don't need a complex diet to be healthy. You just need to check these boxes:

• Prioritize Protein: Include a portion in every meal if appropriate (animal or plant-based, your choice). I skip breakfast protein first thing in the morning before morning workouts or classes I need to teach. Instead I eat some fibre and catch up on the protein after the workout.
• Upgrade Your Carbs: Swap white processed grains for complex options like quinoa, buckwheat, or sweet potatoes.
• Don't Forget Your Gut: Aim for one probiotic food every day. Great options include unsweetened yogurt/kefir, kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, tempeh, or fermented pickles.
• Greens AND Sides: A salad doesn't replace your brown rice; they complement each other. You need the volume from the greens and the energy from the complex carbs.
• Rethink Snacking: Snacks aren't necessary unless you have blood sugar issues. If you eat 3 smart, nutrient-dense meals, your energy needs are covered.
• Hydrate: Aim for 2 liters of water daily, maybe more (based on your height and size).

My philosophy is simple: Food is food.

Use the 'Grandmother Rule': If it didn't or couldn't naturally grow in my great-grandmother's garden, then it shouldn't be recognized as food.

If it wasn't made by nature, it won’t make me feel good in the long run.

Note: If you are active, do not starve yourself! I’ll talk more about the basics of well-being in the next post.

Be body-smart, listen to yourself and don't over-complicate it ;)

D

xx