What in the world is a ‘balanced diet’?

Question

I have a really poor relationship with food. Growing up, my parents never enforced the idea of ‘eat your greens,’ and my mom was mostly focused on body shaming. I’m trying not to slip back into an ED spiral, as I’ve just gotten out of it, and I’m working on disciplining myself—something I was never really taught. I’ve read countless articles, but I’m still struggling to grasp what a balanced diet actually looks like. For example, if I have mostly fats and carbs for lunch, fruit as a midday snack, and protein for dinner, is that balanced? Or should I have a little bit of everything in each meal? And those percentages they mention in articles—how do you even figure those out? I naturally have a small appetite, and I find it really hard to eat as much as I’m ‘supposed’ to. Honestly, I’m clueless when it comes to balanced meals and would love some clarity.

In: Other

Answer 1

Ideally speaking about 65% of your diet is vegetables raw or cooked healthy. About 5% fruit, about 10% starchy carbs, like rice and potatoes, cooked healthy, and 15% healthy protein.

So have some oatmeal for breakfast with raisins or cranberries and a banana and a dab of peanut butter.

Then for lunch eat a salad with some fish.

Then for dinner, eat a nice piece of protein, like a piece of fish, chicken, beef, lamb, or pork. With a side of rice or potato, and some greens. Maybe even some beans and some cottage cheese.

It’s not just about what you eat, but how you cook it. Use healthy oils and butter, and don’t use a lot of never foods, and don’t add too many sauces or additives that add bullshit you don’t need. Basically never eat anything that isn’t kept cold in the grocery store.

Most of the advice you read online about healthy diets is written for very unhealthy people, because that’s who’s looking it up. Healthy people already know the rules, so they’re searching healthy recipes. Do that. Don’t fall into the bullshit for unhealthy people. They’re always trying to “make it easier”, and sell you shit. “Don’t want to eat a salad? Try this prepackaged wrap thing made with iceberg lettuce, pepper jack cheese, fried chicken and buffalo sauce! So much healthier than McDonald’s!” Bullshit.