What Does Healthy Eating Actually Mean?

What Does Healthy Eating Actually Mean?

BS in the Health Industry

We’ve all seen the videos—people on Instagram, YouTube, and everywhere else, preaching about how to "eat healthy" and "lose weight fast." But have we ever stopped to ask ourselves: What does healthy eating actually entail?

Spoiler alert: It’s not about cutting out entire food groups, going on juice cleanses to "detox" your body, or eating only 1,200 calories a day. In reality, those things are pretty much the opposite of healthy eating—at least for most people.

My Journey With “Healthy” Eating (What Not to Do!)

I’ll be honest—when I first started my “healthy eating” journey at 12, it wasn’t actually about health, it was about losing weight. My goal was to weigh 90 lbs, no matter the cost. And when I got there, I felt like absolute garbage, like, dog crap on the bottom of a shoe kind of garbage (LOL). Unfortunatley, I probably wrecked my digestive system for life.

I don’t want you to go through that. So in this blog, I’m sharing everything I wish I knew when I started my health journey.

Does “Skinny” = Healthy?

First things first: Being skinny does not automatically mean you’re healthy. For some people, being skinny is actually unhealthy.

If you have to take extreme measures to stay thin or find yourself feeling constantly weak, bloated, unhappy, or sick—your body probably isn’t thriving at that weight. And trust me, I know how devastating it feels when your body’s natural “happy weight” doesn’t align with your ideal weight. But that disconnect exists because diet culture has brainwashed us into believing that smaller = better.

Here’s the truth: Your body shouldn’t have to shrink at the cost of your happiness and health. If your healthiest weight is more than “skinny,” that’s okay. Health isn’t about being the smallest version of yourself—it’s about being the strongest, happiest, and most well-nourished version of yourself.

So, What Is Healthy Eating?

For me, healthy eating is about balance and freedom—while keeping your body’s best interests in mind.

For example, I often choose fruit over candy—not because I hate my body, but because fruit makes me feel better and provides nutrients I need. But if I really want candy, I eat the damn candy. Because sometimes, you just need candy.

The alternative? Restricting candy, obsessing over it, avoiding it at all costs—until inevitably giving in, binge on it, and feeling like crap afterward. That cycle only breeds anxiety and guilt. Candy isn’t evil, and eating it in moderation won’t kill you—especially if your overall diet is balanced with nutrient-rich foods.

So heres what to do instead: Prioritize nutritious foods, but don’t demonize the ones you love. Food isn’t “good” or “bad” the way the media makes it seem. Some foods are just more nutritious than others, and that’s worth considering—but not stressing over.

Meal Balance: The Key to Sustained Energy & Satisfaction

Another huge part of healthy eating? Balanced meals.

Let’s say I want a croissant. I’ll have the croissant. But since it’s mostly just carbs (and lacks fiber, protein, and healthy fats), I’ll build a balanced meal around it.

For example:🥐 Croissant + 🥜 Peanut butter (healthy fat) + 🍓 Berries (fiber) + Greek yogurt (protein) = A meal that’s way more satisfying and keeps my blood sugar stable and provides me with all the macronutrients (protein, carbs and fat) I need with a boost of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) too.

But sometimes you just want the croissant by itself and that’s fine, too. The goal is to make balanced meals most of the time—without obsessing over it.

Why does this matter? Because balanced meals keep your energy levels stable, support digestion and gut health, and makes sure each meal provides essential nutrients your body needs.

With that, you are also reinforcing that All foods fit, even croissants! You can turn a

“less nutritious” food into a balanced meal—no guilt necessary.

Food Restriction

You’ve probably heard that cutting out entire food groups is “the best” way to be healthy or lose weight, however that is actually the oppisit of how to acheive optimal health.

For example, the keto diet (aka, carbs are the devil diet) was originally invented in the 1920s to treat epilepsy and was not meant to be a weight-loss plan.

Carbs aren’t evil. Your brain actually thrives on glucose (from carbs), and so do your muscles. Plus, carbs like whole grains, sweet potatoes, and beans are packed with fiber—which is essential for gut health and digestion. Cutting them out completely can seriously mess up your body’s ability to function properly.

Fats are also commonly demonized, however they are crucial for brain health, hormone production, and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). While the American diet is a bit too high in saturated fat, which actually is harmful, nutrient dense fats from nuts, seeds, and fish support brain function, memory, and mood. Cutting fat out entirely does way more harm than good.

But here’s the biggest reason restrictive diets don’t work: Restriction = Cravings

There’s a psychological phenomenon called "restriction-induced craving." It’s essentially the same as telling a kid, “Whatever you do, don’t press the big red button.”

You know what they’re gonna do? Press the damn button.

When you tell yourself a food is off-limits, your brain just wants it more. Then, when you finally “give in,” you’re more likely to overeat and feel guilty. So instead of cutting foods out, let’s focus on what we can add to meals to make them more nutritious.

Eating for the “Perfect Body” vs. Eating for Health

Once upon a time, I ate only to achieve the "perfect body." I took drastic measures to attain something that doesn’t actually exist.

Your idea of a “perfect body” is different from mine. And mine is different from someone else’s. This is because a “perfect body” doesn't actually exist, it is subjective.

Instead of trying to shrink, punish, or manipulate our bodies into perfection, why not focus on health, happiness, and strength?

Your body is your home for the rest of your life, so instead of hating it, why can't we just take care of it?

Final Thoughts

I hope this cleared up some of the BS floating around in the health world. But more importantly, I hope it made you feel better about yourself—because in today’s world, it’s way too easy to believe that self-hatred is the only path to self-improvement.

Let me remind you: No matter what you eat, what you weigh, or how you look, you are still a person who deserves love and respect.

And if anyone disagrees, I give you permission to tell them to fuck off.

Thanks for reading—have a great day. ❤️

For more in depth guidance, sign up for my one on one nutrition coaching! Fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsSjCD2Cx2wivbXeHpMoRwCiZfqZQBkxEjazm_ItrQtiPzLA/viewform?usp=sharing