Eating shouldn't be so complicated.

How to cut through the BS, to get straight to the fundamentals (in my opinion at least).

May 29, 2024

I am willing to bet that most of us share what and how to eat as a modern pain point. Strange, isn’t it? Humanity has gotten to a point where we are confused about what to eat, even though food keeps us alive— and is likely responsible for our advanced evolutions, too.

If you’re like me, at some point in your life, you wondered how to eat properly— for health, size, glow, and general thriving. Many advertisements will try to convince you of their way or the highway. They sell whatever new concoction, such as the latest miracle food or must-have for your taste buds, but when did eating become so complicated?

I doubt our ancestors were as confused because it wasn’t long ago that humans were on the other side of the story, hunting and gathering, then industrialising, trying to figure out how to feed all the mouths in the world and sustain ourselves consistently.

So, honestly, it shouldn’t be so complex! Let’s cut through the BS and get straight to the fundamentals. Here’s how I simplify my way of eating:

Vegetables are your best friends. Eat as many and as much of it as you can! You don’t have to be vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian or feel guilty for being a meat-eater, but please remember to always include eating lots of vegetables. The fresher, the better—and on occasion, especially when the produce quality is high, eat them raw, too! But make sure to clean them well. There are sometimes a lot of nasties sprayed on them to preserve or maintain it’s freshness.

Leafy greens are essential. The greener, the better. Preferably daily, but weekly at the least. They are your sources of vitamins, minerals, and grade-A nutrition. It’ll also help you keep your dirty business in the bathroom, as pleasant as possible, so remember to embrace the fibre.

If ever in doubt, always include the purple ones, too, as many times a week as your meals can muster. What makes them purple is the anthocyanins, which you want to cosy up to. From helping to lower blood pressure to anti-inflammatory properties, the list of benefits goes on! They are a superfood with many antioxidants and other health benefits too. They’re also a pretty colour and appeal to you because it’s nature’s way of convincing you that they’re good for you.

The simplest rule is to think about eating the rainbow. Eat as many colours of fruits and vegetables as you can daily. Aim for thirty varieties each week, as consistently as possible; your lifetime is the aim.

But eating the rainbow doesn’t mean eating any type of colourful thing. The funkier the colour, the more questionable the food, so eat the rainbow only if it’s natural. If it looks like the colours at a theme park, then it’s likely artificial colouring versus natural whole foods. That’s when you should be very weary. Avoid eating things that are literally the colour of the rainbow because that isn’t natural!

Whole foods are always best. Ultra-processed foods are never good for you, but don’t kill yourself if you decide to dip your toes in a little from time to time. It’s better to let yourself live life a little, in moderation, rather than restrict yourself into madness.

But, if you’re one of those people with superior self-control, do your body a favour and eat as little or no ultra-processed foods at all. When in doubt, ask yourself did it come from a factory or from nature? Was it manmade or nature-made?

But, I know there are just some foods that are simply irresistible. I dabble in delicious salt and vinegar crips sometimes too! Because YOLO (you only live once). Life is short, and there are days when you have to pick your battles. Not everything has to be a challenge.

If it is ultra-processed, at least remember to read the labels. Try to select the least terrible options. I try to choose a bag of chips that still looks like a real potato. I avoid the funny-shaped ones and steer clear of the imposter types, like Pringles, which tries too hard to look like a sliced potato. But you and I both know it isn’t!

So, if you’re buying off the shelf or buying foods that are factory-made, read the labels. You might surprise yourself with the many intruders you never cared enough to notice. The most devious ones are the ones that fool you into believing that it’s healthy for you.

If the ingredient list reads more like a science experiment—with words you can’t say or stuff you don’t recognise— then think again. Why are you willing to treat your body like a school experiment rather than feeding yourself nutritious, delicious, real food?

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