Is my diet healthy? Confusion about healthy diet.

lovebarbados

With all the reading I have done on healthy eating, I find I have run into a bit of a problem where I don't know what's healthy and what's not anymore. If I took everything I have read seriously I would have nothing left to eat. You have paleo/keto proponents claiming that grains are the devil because they destroy your gut, cause diseases and obesity, have arsenic, lead to diabetes etc. so you should eat high-fat. Gluten-free is touted everywhere. Others say to watch the sat. fat. Carbs are vilified for many reasons, some say they "feed" cancer. Some say dairy also feeds cancer and causes massive problems, others say it's a great source of protein and probiotics. Some demonize fruit because it contains fructose, which has scared me because I eat a lot of fruit. Then you have very plant-based diets that include lots of carbs but shun animal products because they are said to cause disease. At this point I feel like I can't recognize whether my diet is healthy or not.

I currently eat:

Produce: decent amount of veggies I think, I cook with them mostly all the time for dinner and snack on raw veg alone or with hummus during the day. I eat a ton of fruit, especially at breakfast and lunch. I especially consume considerable amounts of bananas and berries and tropical fruits. I frequently make smoothies with almond milk, plant protein powder, chia seeds etc. I also use coconut milk and other coconut products.
Grains: I cut refined grains and have incorporated many different varieties of whole grains - brown and black rice, quinoa, barley, oats, buckwheat, wheat berries (including farro and Kamut). My family is Italian so I eat a moderate amount of pasta (whole wheat) and I make toast on sprouted whole grain bread with avocado or nut butter. I will eat cereal that is whole grain/low sugar.
Legumes: I eat all types of beans mostly, esp. black pinto and chickpea, but no soy. I like the burritos from Amy's Kitchen and I eat lots of hummus.
Nuts and seeds: almond and cashew butter, all nuts except peanuts. I also eat chia, hemp, sesame and flax seeds.
Oils/fats: I use organic butter and healthy oils but avoid processed oils like canola, corn, and soybean.
Dairy: organic yogurt and Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and most other cheeses. I don't drink milk or have it in my cereal because I prefer the taste of almond.
Meat and eggs: I eat eggs and egg whites, chicken, turkey, lots of salmon and shrimp, white fish on occasion, grass-fed ground beef.

For sweetening in moderation I will use raw honey, date syrup, maple syrup or coconut sugar. I don't really eat white sugar except for the amount that is in dark chocolate, which I enjoy. I drink tea frequently in the mornings - breakfasts often include fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, eggs or a smoothie. I do not strictly avoid processed foods because here in California there are lots of healthy options for organic convenience foods etc. I do eat packaged foods like protein bars, frozen veggie burgers, crackers, etc. if they have healthy ingredients. I eat no perservatives or high-fructose corn syrup/artificial sweeteners and food colorings. I choose organic where there are high pesticide concerns, like in spinach and strawberries.

litoria

I think your diet sounds great. There's a lot of variety and potential for some really interesting choices. Don't believe all the pseudoscience out there. It seems every second person has now declared themselves a nutrition expert. I like the Michael Pollan approach: eat real food, mostly plants, not too much

livingleanlivingclean

It doesn't matter if I think it's healthy. Or the next person who comments. What matters is that you think it's healthy, remembering that health is more than just physical but mental too. (if eating this way causes stress, negative feelings, feelings of guilt etc, I wouldn't say it's healthy).

There is a mountain of information out there, and a lot of conflicting information. You need to work out what you believe, and also be open to those beliefs being challenged (by you) and changing as you continue through life.

LiveLoveFitFab

litoria wrote: »

I think your diet sounds great. There's a lot of variety and potential for some really interesting choices. Don't believe all the pseudoscience out there. It seems every second person has now declared themselves a nutrition expert. I like the Michael Pollan approach: eat real food, mostly plants, not too much

That's the key. Real food. Mostly plants. That being said, there is always room for some treats.