WHAT IS GOOD NUTRITION?

If we think and rightly so that food is more complicated than just fuel, then good nutrition is probably more complicated than “following the rules”. Take a minute to answer this question:

WHAT IS GOOD NUTRITION?

Having thought about it for years as for today, here is how I answer it:

GOOD NUTRITION CONTROLS ENERGY BALANCE.

Food is more than just food, but it gives us energy. Without enough energy coming into the body, we just don’t work right. Our body starts to shut down processes that we don’t absolutely need to survive, such as reproduction, some aspects of metabolism, and brain function.

Too much energy to the body can also cause problems. We can become resistant to important hormones such as insulin or leptin. Good nutrition helps control energy balance. If we don’t eat too much or too little, this means we can stay healthy, fit and strong. We feel good and our body shows it.

GOOD NUTRITION GIVES US NUTRIENTS.

Each food has a certain nutrient density, or nutrients per amount of food. Since we want to eat the right amount of food for our needs, we want to make sure that the food is loaded with nutrients.

Now imagine a plate full of kale, lentils, cookies or salmon and ask yourself:

• How many calories are in each plate?

• How many nutrients are in each plate?

In some cases, like cookies, there are a lot of calories but few nutrients. This is called low nutrient density. On the other side, with the kale, there are lots of nutrients but few calories. This is called high nutrient density. Good nutrition helps us balance energy intake and getting enough of these valuable, essential nutrients.

GOOD NUTRITION IS OUTCOME-BASED.

Every nutrition choice we make will lead to an outcome. Those outcomes can be measured, and they are great mirror of reality. This is why, I like the question “how is this working for you?”

Whenever someone says to me “I eat really healthy” which is just a concept in their head, the best follow-up is “Great! How is that working for you?” This question tests perception against reality.

If someone thinks they are eating really healthy, but they just don’t have the body, health, or performance that could be expected, maybe that person’s idea of “healthy” does not match reality. Maybe they are not making outcome-based decisions.

GOOD NUTRITION IS ABOUT REMOVING LIMITING FACTORS.

This is the part that makes coach great coach. As a coach if we can help people identify their limiting factors, the things that stand between them and reaching their goals then this is it.

With new clients and during our consultation I look at factors such as:

• Genetics and epigenetics

• Exercise

• Physiology

• Mindset

• Environment

GOOD NUTRITION LOOKS FOR STRENGTH AND WINS.

Good nutrition is not about “following the rules” or “being strict”. It is about enabling happier, healthier, fuller lives.

As a Nutrition Coach, I look for limiting factors, but also for my client’s advantages, strength, and opportunities for success. How can I take what is already working and improve it? The answer is to make sure that I don’t use a single nutrition philosophy and that I take a flexible approach. At the end of the day, we are all different.