What I Eat Might Surprise You

I spend quite a lot of time talking about what to eat and how to think about nutrition, but I don’t share much about me!

And while that's sort of on purpose because I don't want to influence anyone or act like I have it all figured out, I do think it's important for you to know a little about me since we are in this together!

I'm switching things up today with a little 'Q + A' to give you some insight into how I think about food day to day, and what I'm eating lately.

If you're arriving here from my email that just landed in your inbox, let's start with the fresh questions:

What's a food rule I used to believe but don't anymore?

I used to believe certain foods were off limits unless I had done something to earn them, like work out or eat less beforehand. This was before I was a dietitian, and now I understand that our bodies do not operate like a strict input/output equation and the way we use and expend energy fluctuates.

Once I understood more about metabolism, energy balance and physiology I realized that things didn’t have to cancel each other out and having a treat on a rest day was not going to harm me in any way.

What's my go-to meal when I don't feel like cooking?

Always something on toast. If I really don’t want to cook, I’ll toast two slices of Ezekiel bread, and top with avocado and cottage cheese or hardboiled eggs (or one of each!). I always have fruit on hand like apples, bananas, grapes and oranges, plus frozen mango and cherries. Protein, carbs and fats all in one! I rely heavily on keeping easy foods stocked so I’m not defaulting to takeout when I’m tired.

What's a snack I always have on hand?

I definitely lean sweet, so I almost always have a bar with me. Lately, it’s been Zbars! I love the size, and they usually do the trick. If I need something more filling, I’ll grab a Barebells. Current favorite: chocolate dough! We also always have Wegmans Olive Oil & Himalayan Salt Popcorn in the cabinet.

What's the most underrated healthy habit IMO?

Lowering your stress. Nutrition is important, but I truly believe that we can crack the health code if we learned to manage our stress.

When my grandmother turned 100 I asked her what advice she had for anyone looking to become a centenarian and she said “keep it cool.” She didn’t overreact about anything, or even negatively react to anything at all. She ate dessert every night and drank coffee with artificial sweeteners and ingredients for the 30+ years I was around her. She never said no to anything, never counted a single calorie or even pretended to care to want to.

& the others:

What is a meal I've been eating on repeat?

My husband and I love making homemade pizza! I make dough from scratch and the recipe I use makes two, so we always eat pizza twice a week 😉. We keep the toppings pretty simple, and I shred a few reduced-fat, low-moisture, part-skim string cheeses to keep it a little lighter. It’s incredibly satisfying. We usually eat it alongside a large green salad made up of romaine, iceberg, avocado, red onion, artichoke hearts and sunflower seeds.

What does a day of eating look like for me?

I am a mixture of chaotic and lazy in the morning, so breakfast is hit or miss. After I work out I always have a protein shake with almond milk, whey protein and collagen. Then I have coffee! Breakfast is typically oats with greek yogurt and banana, or sometimes toasted Ezekiel bread and eggs. Lunch I admittedly struggle with, so it’s usually leftovers or an apple and a protein bar. I always snack in the afternoon, usually on popcorn, almonds, dates & peanut butter, cereal, pretzels & string cheese, or toast. Dinner is some variation of pasta, salad, tacos… and, of course, pizza :)

What's something I don't do as a dietitian?

I don’t really pay attention to calories — for myself or my clients. Of course if someone wants to work on their calorie intake to balance their energy better that’s one thing & is usually temporary. Calories simply do not give us the entire picture. Remember, we are not mathematical equations! Our bodies are dynamic, not static. I find it’s better to tap into hunger and fullness cues, appetite, mood, sleep and food nutrient content.

What's my current wellness non-negotiable?

Not eating distracted. I don’t have my phone in one hand and my fork in the other. I might be reading something or have a show on in the background, but that’s not the first thing I’m paying attention to. I am dialed into my meal, eating slowly, chewing thoroughly and paying attention to how full I’m getting. This mindfulness has done so much to improve my digestion!

Have any more questions for me? Feel free to reach out here! Can't wait to hear from you :)