Trying to answer the nebulous question ‘what should I eat’? Narrow down your scope with these 5 simple questions, and you’ll be feasting in no time!
We’ve all been there.
Hungry and no idea what to eat.
It doesn’t matter if you’re staring at a menu or looking inside your refrigerator; that’s not always an easy question to answer.
Therefore, here are five simple questions to ask yourself to move forward quickly and get some calories inside you.
1 What Protein Should I Eat?
Protein is the best place to start.
First of all, proteins from meats are typically the part of the meal that contains most of the fat and calories.
Therefore, eating leaner cuts will reduce the number of saturated fat, trans fat, and overall calories you eat in a meal.
So, if you’re managing food-driven health symptoms, for example, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, asking yourself about protein is a great starting place.
You can better manage many health problems simply by eating leaner proteins. Chicken, fish, and vegetable proteins like beans (soy, pinto, kidney, or garbanzo) or lentils contain less fat.
Your protein choice can also lead you quickly through the next few questions.
2 Am I Concerned About Cooking Methods?
If you’re looking for healthy cooking methods, you’re probably going to want to avoid fast and fried food options pretty readily.
If you decided that your protein choice would be red meat, grilling or baking are healthier cooking options compared to frying.
3 How Do I Want to Feel After I Eat?
I like this question – mostly because it can quickly determine what you’re not going to eat.
If you are looking to feel ‘comforted’ and you’re looking for comfort food, you’re going to eat different foods than when you want to feel:
- Light on your feet (not bloated and weighted down)
- Satisfied with your food choices
- Or, in contrast, if you don’t have a preference
5 Where Can I Add Produce?
Very few people get the recommended daily servings of fruit and vegetables. So, it’s something you can count on adding in.
Whether the fruit or vegetable is the main entree, like in a salad or a side compliment, there always seems to be room for produce.
You may even want to add the fruit for dessert.
Now you know what to eat.
So, bon appetit!
Be sure to grab your FREE Self-care Starter Guide! Lisa Kimrey is a 33-year veteran registered nurse (RN), speaker, and author of the Bible study, The Self-care Impact: Motivation and Inspiration for Wellness. At Mylifenurse, Lisa combines her nursing expertise with Scripture-based encouragement to show readers who serve and care for others how to begin and maintain their self-care journey – without feeling guilty or overwhelmed – to feel happy, healthy, and rejuvenated.