What the heck is "healthy" eating anyway?

Author

Lacey Baier
April 22, 2024

Hello, Cleanish Squad!  

Today, we're going to chat about what heck "healthy eating" is anyway. The term "healthy" gets thrown around quite a lot nowadays, and I think it can get pretty darn confusing and, honestly, misleading.

This lesson was pulled straight from my 30-Day Healthy program, which will launch with brand new meal plans on April 29th. Click here to learn more about the program and to join the waitlist.

When you ask what is "healthy eating," here’s what usually comes to mind...

  • gluten-free

  • calorie counting

  • low calorie

  • sugar-free

  • keto

  • low carb

  • paleo

  • clean

  • carnivore

  • anti-inflammatory

  • organic

  • raw foods

  • vegetarian

  • vegan

  • whole grains

  • no grains

  • non GMO

  • skinny

But, wait...so many of these contradict each other…

Confusing, right? And this is just a short list of all the different “healthy eating” options thrown at us.

So, let me try to simplify all this noise for you. I prefer to use the term "healthy" as a very broad concept. It represents all the food (and thoughts) that lead your body and mind to a happy place, free of inflammation and self-hatred.

Really, I believe "healthy" should mean "good for your body."

That means "healthy" is NOT:

  • starving yourself

  • hating yourself

  • eating highly processed, fake foods

  • overeating artificial sugars

  • overeating

  • putting yourself down

  • forcing yourself to eat

  • calorie counting

  • unrealistic expectations

  • anxiety about your food

  • not enjoying yourself

  • eating foods just because they're "healthy"

My goal for you is to have a very clear understanding of what your body needs to function at its best, free of inflammation and pain of any sort.

I want you to learn what foods bring you joy and satisfaction (and what foods to avoid), what foods nourish your body and why, and what internal thoughts to say to yourself to be happy and to make positive choices.

It all starts with your mind, followed by your choices. And many of us have been talking negatively to ourselves for a very long time.

The way I see healthy is that it's not all just tied to food. It's tied to how YOU approach your life - in relation to your experiences with food, family, friends, love, exercise, work, and so on.

Living a healthy lifestyle involves improving your relationship with food and yourself. For example, you can eat "bad" foods and still be healthy - you just have to be in control and intentional about it (and I share how to do all of this in 30 Day Healthy).

For today, I want you to start thinking about redefining "healthy" for yourself and being open to how you can approach your life choices to bring you happiness and, yes, health.

As part of the program, I often have a quick assignment or question to answer, like this one, at the end of each email…

Reply to this email and let me know an example of a food you like that you think is "healthy" for you and brings you joy. 

I’d love to hear your answer as well 🙂 

A New 30-Day Healthy is Coming Soon!

Great news! A new and improved 30-Day Healthy is coming soon — 30 days of supportive, motivational emails and 4 new weeks of meal plans! Sign up here to learn more!

Some Of My Favorite Things This Week 🙂 

  • Quote of the Week → “It’s no coincidence that four of the six letters in health are ‘heal.’” ―Ed Northstrum

  • Featured A Sweet Pea Chef Recipe → This Cauliflower Pizza Crust recipe will satisfy your pizza cravings without cheating on your healthy lifestyle. Plus, I share tips for how to make the crust vegan and dairy-free!

  • Are You A Chapstick Junkie, Too? → I have a bit of a chapstick obsession. I need one with me at all times, just like a hair tie. I kept a Blistex tube in my bag for the longest time because I needed one that wouldn’t melt in the Texas heat. But then I learned how a tube of Blistex contains 25 ingredients, including various preservatives and dyes. Among several petroleum-based ingredients and parabens, the most concerning ingredient is Phenol, which is considered toxic to the central nervous system and the heart. So, I sought a cleaner, healthier solution. I recently purchased SuperLan Organic Lanolin Lip Balm, and it has perfectly replaced my one-beloved Blistex. It has just 2 ingredients — lanolin and jojoba oil, and it works great. Dare I say…I like it even better. A tube is less than $7 right now on Amazon if you’d like to try it for yourself.

You Reached The End! Go You!!

What did you think of this week's email?  Hit reply and let me know - I read every email reply!

Have a question for our next Q&A? Click here! 

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