What Does A Dietitian Eat?

Happy National Nutrition Month! March celebrates food, nutrition, and dietitians. In that spirit I thought I’d spend this month’s blog answering one of my top questions from clients, “So, what do YOU eat?”. Read on for ideas from my own personal pantry. Click each link for a favorite recipe.

Humans Need to Eat

First, I like to eat 3 square meals every day. It’s important to eat regular meals to keep up my energy. I spend time each day tuning in to my hunger and fullness signals. I try not to eat “by the clock”, but instead eat my meals when I feel like I need them. This means that sometimes my meals vary in size, and sometimes I need an extra snack. I try not to think too hard about over- or under-eating, but instead being mindful of my body’s signals. And – I never compromise on eating. We are all human beings and humans need to eat to live. I am not shy about eating during meetings, in the car, etc. I have learned to be brave and speak up for my needs. It’s OK to make other people wait a few minutes so you can get a bite to eat!

Breakfast – My Favorite

My first meal of the day is very close to waking up. I always wake up hungry. It’s my favorite motivation to leave my warm bed! During the weekdays, I chose a quick breakfast like overnight oats with peanut butter and dried fruit, or toast with peanut butter and an apple. Sometimes I’ll scramble an egg with vegetables and eat it with toast or tortillas. In the summer, I like fruit and veggie smoothies. I always make time for breakfast, even if it means getting up early. I just can’t function without it!

Lunch – It’s All About Planning

I try to always pack a lunch to eat in the middle of the workday. I like to prep a large amount of food on the weekend and eat it all 5 days. Sometimes I get bored by the end of the week, but I also take pleasure in the time saved by not prepping food every day! It’s a trade-off. I’m a big fan of one-pot meals for lunch. I make a lot of vegetable and bean soups, chili, or bowls with rice and beans and roasted veggies. Lunch is a great place to include plant-proteins. Beans and lentils store well in the fridge and provide fiber, protein, and long-burning energy. In the summer, I will make a big salad with raw veggies and beans or baked tofu for protein.

Occasionally I need a snack during the day. It depends on how hungry I feel! Typically, I’ll pack a piece of fruit and a handful of nuts. When life is really crazy, and I won’t have time for lunch, I pack a big bag of what I lovingly call “Horse Chow”. It’s a giant Ziploc bag with nuts, dried fruit, and whole grain cereal like corn flakes or cheerios. If I can grab a handful while galloping off to one event or another, I’ll stay satisfied.

Dinner – Loving Leftovers

Dinner really varies. My SO and I take turns preparing dinner. Usually we cook twice a week and eat each meal two times (four dinners total). Then we might go out or get takeout one night per week. We like to cook veggie-centered meals like curries, tacos, stir-fries, or pasta. It’s easier to eat more vegetables when you get away from the typical meat/starch/veg eating pattern. I love a bunch of veggies and protein wrapped in a tortilla, or mixed into a rich and spicy curry sauce with rice on the side. These kinds of meals make great leftovers. In the summer, sometimes we will grill a variety of protein, bread or potatoes, and vegetables and eat it with fresh chimichurri sauce.

Final Thoughts

At night, I might grab a cup of tea and a small dessert, or a drink like a cocktail or a glass of wine. I make a mindful mental note not to have a drink or dessert every day.

That’s about it! Remember that everyone is different. It took me a long time to find my ideal eating pattern. If you’re struggling with finding balance in your eating, give me a call: 614-706-3495.