If you\u2019re trying your best to eat well, it can sometimes feel like you\u2019re damned no matter what choices you make.<\/p>\n
We alternately hear that eggs are great sources of protein and terrible for our cholesterol (though registered dietitian Melissa Jaeger previously told us<\/a> that they\u2019re a \u201cnutrient powerhouse\u201d that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet). <\/p>\n I, for one, also grew up hearing that the wholegrain version of foods like pasta are infinitely better for us, though dietitian Karine Patel reckons it doesn\u2019t make that \u201cdramatic\u201d of a difference<\/a> either way. <\/p>\n Among all this endless advice, it can be quite hard to find signs you\u2019re actually doing well with your diet. <\/p>\n So, we spoke to registered dietitian Jennifer Low, the owner of JL Nutrition Clinic<\/a>, about how she works out if someone\u2019s food plan is working for them. <\/p>\n \u201cPerfect\u201d isn\u2019t the goal <\/p>\n The expert told HuffPost UK that in her experience, \u201cthe majority of people who are worrying about whether their diet is healthy, have a diet that is already healthy\u201d. <\/p>\n This, she said, is because eating well is actually \u201cnot as difficult\u201d as social media might sometimes suggest. <\/p>\n \u201cNutrition science has [shown] time and again<\/a>, in large research studies, that a Mediterranean-style diet is a really healthy way to be eating and nourishing our bodies,\u201d she continued. <\/p>\n \u201cThis includes plenty of wholegrain carbs, protein sources from lean meats, fish (including oily fish), seeds, nuts, pulses, olive oil and plenty of fruit and vegetables.\u201d<\/p>\n But if you follow that basic format, you don\u2019t have to worry about whether every single morsel you consume is \u201coptimal\u201d. In fact, fixating too much on the \u201cperfect\u201d diet can sometimes fall under the umbrella of orthorexia, which is considered an<\/a> \u201cunhealthy obsession\u201d.<\/p>\n Despite her Mediterranean diet advice, Low said that foods considered \u201cbad\u201d for us can still fit into a healthy eating pattern. <\/p>\n \u201cFood is supposed to be enjoyable as well as provide nutrients,\u201d the expert shared. \u201cWe also know from research<\/a> that if we restrict our food intake\/food groups\/ban certain foods, we are much more likely to overeat that food once we allow it again\u201d.<\/p>\n Eating whole foods a lot of the time and treating yourself can both fit into a \u201chealthy\u201d diet, she continued.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is actually no such thing as \u2018perfect\u2019. Often if we tune inwards we are able to work out that actually we need a chocolate bar rather than an apple as our snack today, or vice versa. This is part of being able to eat intuitively.\u201d <\/p>\n What are the signs you have a healthy diet?<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what the dietitian suggested are some signs of a healthy diet:<\/p>\n Functioning well physically, including having regular, healthy bowel movements and not showing signs of nutrient deficiencies,Generally following a Mediterranean-style diet, with lots of whole grains, fruit, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins: but not denying yourself foods outside of that range completely, Sleeping well \u201cbecause [you] are not going to bed either overly hungry or overly full\u201d,Eating regularly and consuming enough food, \u201cwith plenty of variety\u201d,Being \u201cable to eat \u2018treats\u2019 and not feel guilty or bad about that, and preferably even not call them \u2018treats\u2019 \u2013 as labelling this can automatically create good and bad foods\u201d, Being \u201cable to enjoy eating socially with friends and family and not having to choose what [you] have based on calories on a menu, or particular [non-medical] food rules\u2026 e.g. no carbs, etc\u201d, Being flexible with your eating \u201cand if plans change that is OK, you can adapt\u201d,Being \u201cable to eat anything without feeling guilty\u201d.<\/p>\n If you think you might want to improve on one or more of these metrics, try making small, approachable steps \u2013 like gradually increasing<\/a> your fibre intake. <\/p>\n