How to Eat Healthy: 5 Simple Principles of A Nutritious Healthy Diet Plan

Eating a nutritious healthy diet is essential for living a happy life – as well as living a long life. So I put together a quick guide of the 5 simple principles of a nutritious healthy diet plan.

If you follow my work, then you know I’m a late in life mom, who promised my son I’d live to 100. He asked me to live to 200, but I bargained him down. I then went on a 2 year quest, interviewing out world’s top health experts on nutrition and longevity. I’m on a mission to help as many people as I can to improve their health.

The wealth of benefits that you can get from consuming healthy foods for your body are seemingly endless.

Unfortunately, there are also a host of bad side effects stemming from eating processed junk. The types of foods you eat can significantly impact your health and overall wellbeing. Additionally, it can play a role in your physique and body composition. 

Many people struggle with kicking their unhealthy habits and getting on the right health track.

If you are one of those people, maybe it’s because you feel somewhat lost in all of the diet fads plastered across magazines and websites today. For instance, you may see various trends that gain popularity each time you decide to be healthier. It can be confusing and lead you to ask questions like what is the Keto diet? Or how much deficit should I be in? 

Fortunately, staying healthy isn’t too difficult to achieve. Here’s how you can practice healthy eating habits and ensure your body is getting all the nutrition it needs. 

• If you are a binge eater, you might want to check out Stop Emotional Eating, my bestselling video course – which has already helped many thousands of people around the world to master their urge to binge. Learn more here!

5 Simple Principles of A Nutritious Healthy Diet Plan

Below I share a helpful guide to the basics of eating a healthy, balanced diet.

1. Carbohydrates 

Many people believe they have to cut out carbs when trying to become a healthier version of themselves. But, in truth, complex carbs should be a staple piece of your nutritious diet. It’s your main source of energy, so it’s vital to include it in your meals. However, not all carbohydrate sources are equal. Some may be more beneficial than others. For instance, it may be better to eat complex carbohydrates than simple carbohydrates or processed foods.

Complex carbohydrates are higher in fiber. Plus they release their energy more slowly due to the speed at which they are digested and absorbed by your body.

Generally, brown carbs are classed as complex carbs.

Here’s a quick list of healthy complex carbs

• brown rice
• wholemeal bread
• barley
• oats
• quinoa
• whole grain pastas
• legumes like beans and lentils

Be sure to include these healthy complex carbs in your diet. They will provide you with stable blood sugar levels. Plus these complex carbs will give you the energy you need to sustain yourself until your next meal.

2. Proteins

Many people believe that protein is required exclusively by body builders or marathon runners. However, this is definitely not the case. Every human needs a portion of protein rich food with every meal they eat. Proteins play an important role in life. Every cell in the human body contains protein. The basic structure of a protein is a chain of amino acids.

• You need protein in your diet to help your body repair cells and make new ones.

It’s a necessary nutrient that helps your muscles repair themselves every time you strain them or have tears in your muscle tissues. If you don’t eat enough protein, it may be difficult for you to sustain your muscle mass and build new ones. The soreness you feel on your muscles after a strenuous day may also take longer to disappear if you lack protein.

You can consume proteins as shakes, and smoothies. For example, a whey protein shake will help your muscles grow, lose fat, and fight cancer cell development.        

Here’s a quick list of healthy protein boosts…

• lean white meat (preferably skinless!)
• eggs (if you have issues with cholesterol, do egg whites only)
• tofu and seitan
• nuts like almonds and walnuts
• various high protein legumes like beans and lentils
• protein rich shakes

You should try to consume protein rich foods more after exercise. They will help to repair and grow your muscles.

3. Healthy Fats

You may not believe that fat should be a part of a healthy diet. However, there are many “good fats” – which are beneficial rather than detrimental to the human body.  Thus, you shouldn’t be alarmed to consume healthy fats from various food sources. 

Good fats support for cell growth, and for protection around your vital organs.

Here’s a quick list of good fats:

• avocados
• fish like wild salmon
• nuts like almonds and walnuts
• seeds like pumpkin
• oils such as olive and coconut

Of course these should be eaten in moderation. But they are still an essential aspect of a healthy diet. 

4. Fruits and Vegetables

Every single day you should try to consume at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.

If you are not committing yourself to including a large amount of fresh ingredients in your diet, you will feel tired and sluggish. You’ll then have little motivation to get up and go.

Eating enough fruits and veggies doesn’t have to be hard. There are many creative ways you can switch up your diet to include interesting and attractive meals that still provide you with the vitamins and minerals you need to thrive.

Fruits and vegetables show their different properties through the various colors of their skin. The more varied the colors of fruits and vegetables, the greater your overall nutrition.

• Slip vegetables into smoothies along with fruits. Here’s my favorite Alkaline Smoothie Recipe  -which includes avocados!
• A recommended healthy fruit: wild blueberries. . They’re great antioxidants plus are lower on sugar.
• The healthiest vegetables tend to be the ones darkest green in color like kale, spinach and avocados – which are high alkaline foods.
• Some fruits and vegetables can help to improve your mood. Check out my Good Mood Food Diet.

Some fruits are also low in calories, so it’s a good option to include various greens and fruits into your daily meal plan if you’re watching your daily calorie intake.  

5. Supplements And Vitamins

If you’re not feeling as though you’ve managed to include all of the right nutrients and minerals in your diet, you may want to invest in some multivitamins.

Check out the vitamins and supplements I use as part of my Longevity Plan – to live longer, healthier, younger.

Note: Vitamins and supplements should not be a replacement for a healthy diet. You still have to put in the effort to eat nutritious foods and avoid processed foods.

I hope this guide was a helpful reminder of how to eat healthy. 

Get More Simple Principles of A Nutritious Healthy Diet Plan

Check out my bestselling longevity book, Life is Long: 50+ ways to live a little closer to forever.