To call yourself a dietitian in the US you need, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics<\/a>, \u201ca minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program and [to have] completed a supervised practice requirement, passed a national exam and continue professional development throughout their careers.”<\/p>\n Article continues below <\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n One of the perks of my job is that I get a lot of face time with dietitians, and I can ask them for their best (and least gimmicky) advice to help make healthier dietary choices.<\/p>\n In this instance, I asked registered dietitian Amy Shapiro, who is also lead nutritionist for ButcherBox<\/a>, to share her top nutrition tips.<\/p>\n She gave me four simple tips to improve your diet.<\/p>\n 1. Don\u2019t worry about \u201cmaxxing\u201d<\/p>\n If the \u201cfibermaxxing\u201d and \u201cproteinmaxxing\u201d trends have passed you by, I envy you.<\/p>\n Social media has been awash with influencers encouraging their audiences to eat as much of each essential nutrient as possible.<\/p>\n This can mean that those who are partaking in the trends are often going beyond the daily recommended amounts of fiber or protein\u2014depending on which \u201cmaxxing\u201d they\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of obsessing over extreme targets, aim for balance,\u201d says Shapiro, who says making sure you have sources of both fiber and protein with each meal should be enough.<\/p>\n What to read next<\/p>\n She adds: \u201cProtein supports muscle, metabolism and blood sugar, while fiber supports gut health and fullness. Meals that include both fiber and protein tend to support steadier energy and fewer cravings.\u201d<\/p>\n 2. Stock up your freezer<\/p>\n Life is busy, and can often get in the way of healthy eating. This is why the freezer is your friend.<\/p>\n \u201cFrozen proteins, vegetables, fruits and grains make nutritious meals faster and more accessible,\u201d says Shapiro. \u201cThe freezer keeps food fresh and maintains nutrient density.\u201d<\/p>\n She also points out that keeping your freezer well-stocked can help you to reduce food waste, saving you money in the long run.<\/p>\n Plus, freezing meals ahead of time can help you to make better eating choices, making it convenient to reheat a healthy meal.<\/p>\n \u201cI recommend keeping frozen proteins like grass-fed beef, sustainably caught seafood and organic poultry in the freezer, so easy meals are accessible,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n 3. Include variety in your protein sources<\/p>\n A healthy body needs a multitude of nutrients and the best way to provide that is through a varied diet.<\/p>\n Shapiro suggests rotating protein sources like \u201cfish, poultry, lean meats, eggs, dairy, legumes, tofu and tempeh\u201d.<\/p>\n This will not only help to ensure that you are getting a variety of vitamins and minerals but it will also keep your meals interesting.<\/p>\n Remember that canned fish, tinned beans, packet grains and frozen meats can make varied options more accessible.<\/p>\n 4. Eat more whole foods<\/p>\n We all know that ultra-processed foods are far from perfect, so choose natural or minimal processing where possible.<\/p>\n \u201cI recommend prioritizing whole foods, including quality proteins, vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, beans, nuts and seeds,\u201d says Shapiro.<\/p>\n \u201cWhole foods are amazing building blocks for healthy meals and snacks, and with a little pre-planning, you can have these items ready to eat just as simply as reaching for packaged goods.\u201d<\/p>\n About our expert Social Links Navigation<\/p>\n <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Dietitian and lead nutritionist at ButcherBox<\/p>\n Amy Shapiro is the founder and CEO of Real Nutrition<\/a>, a NYC-based private practice dedicated to guiding clients to optimal nutrition, weight and overall wellness. With more than 15 years of experience, she is internationally recognized for her individualized, lifestyle-focused approach, which integrates realistic food plans, smart eating habits and active living.<\/p>\n![\"RD](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9uQVxCWumP2KWMU7gwizmJ.jpg\")
About our expertAmy Shapiro<\/p>\n