There are countless diets out there, all of which have different sets of rules, different conditions and different ideas about what is healthy eating. With so many varied dialogues about what you should and shouldn't do, it can be hard to truly understand what is considered to be good for you. But today, we're here to put a stop to it.
We're here to help you understand when you should eat, how often you should do it and what meals are going to be the best for you. So, it's time to say goodbye to water diets, skipping breakfast and unhealthy snacking. Here's what you can do to ensure you're fueling your body enough throughout the day, and with all the vitamins and nutrients you need to live longer, stronger, happier and healthier.
So, how much should you really eat in a day?
Some diets will tell you that five is the magic number, others will tell you that snacking is a sin, and some will even tell you that if you can avoid eating, you should. Trust us, being healthy does not rely on extremes. To break it to you gently, not eating throughout the day may actually be a cause for weight gain rather than loss.
This is because your body will rapidly store fat, not knowing when it will get its next meal. So, let's put an end to starvation diets, shall we?
With that in mind, how often should you be eating?
Realistically, there is no 'one' answer. It depends on a variety of factors, including your height, amount of exercise and even the size of your meals. If we are going by a general rule of thumb, you should seek to have three balanced meals a day of 350-600 calories each. That leaves time for 1-3 snacks a day of about 150 calories.
Snacking doesn't have to mean food, either. It could mean sipping on your favourite Jomeis Fine Foods Nutritional Latte after dinner.
If you prefer to eat bigger meals and limit the snacks, that's a-okay too! Finding your balance and staying within a healthy calorie range is the true key.
Are there certain times that you should eat?
Again, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this question. For example, if you usually eat big dinners, your body may be used to this and may digest this well. However, if you are feeling bloated or in need of a change, there are a few things you can do.
For example, we recommend eating your heavier calories in the morning rather than at night. If you are craving a dessert, try to have it throughout the day too, rather than after dinner. Doing so will help you to digest better and allow your stomach to be emptier when it comes to bedtime.
As a best practice, eating no later than three hours before bed can have optimum impacts on your gut health and may even prevent certain metabolic diseases, such as diabetes.
How do you achieve a balanced diet throughout the day?
We get it. Not everyone wants to count every calorie and check every ingredient. And that is totally okay. What's more okay is enjoying your favourite foods too, even the ones that society has branded as 'bad for you.'
With this in mind, you can achieve a balanced diet by actively choosing foods that are good for the gut, mind, body and soul. You also don't need to read the ingredients labels to have a rough idea of which foods will be best for you.
Here's a breakdown:
- Avoid consitently eating heavily processed food, such as fast food, where possible
- Sugar is okay in moderation
- Cooking and packing your food is always almost healthier than ready-to-eat frozen meals
- Choose fresh produce as much as possible
- Add nuts, seeds and grains to your diet wherever you can
- Preparing your food always allows you to know what's going into it
Though this is only a quick snapshot, it is a relatively comprehensive guide of what you want more of in your diet and what you want less of. When considering what to eat in a day, always try to add energising foods to your early morning routine.
As an example, a Jomeis Fine Foods Superfood Breakfast Bowl will fuel your mind and body for the day much better than a slice of plain toast. However, this doesn't mean that bread is bad, as carbs are a necessity for your energy levels.
Choosing brain foods in the morning and the energy-fueling foods throughout the day is a surefire way to help you achieve balance and feel your best.
We are always here to help
we understand that not everyone has the answers to questions like 'How many times should you eat in a day?' That's why we're always here to help. Reach out to a member of our team at any time to find out more about how you can add more nutrition and goodness to your diet.
