Weekly Fitness Tips, Part 5

Do I need to follow a strict diet? Short answer: No, try to have a balanced diet with a variety of colours on your plate.

More nuanced answer: Outside of food allergies/intolerances, there isn’t a specific food you have to avoid. The 80/20 rule would be a good rule to live by. 80% of you diet being wholefoods, minimally processed foods & the other 20% can be more processed foods like some junk food, & eating out at restaurants or ordering takeaways. While it doesn’t have to have that exact ratio of healthy/junk food, aiming for that would be a healthy medium for most people.

Try to eat plenty of fibre from grains, beans, legumes, fruit & veg. (If you’re not used to eating those foods, start slowly or it may be too much for your stomach). These foods are more filling & have protective benefits against heart disease, along with being rich in vitamins & minerals.

It’s important not to restrict yourself too much in the types of foods you eat, or it could be a slippery slope that could lead to an eating disorder, or at the least, disordered eating.