I don’t know about all you folks out there, but between all of these diet trends, fitness guides, and Pinterest boards, I am finding it hard to keep up on what is considered a balanced meal anymore.
Sometimes you hear people say cut out the meat, no refined sugar, others say ABSOLUTELY NO UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES shall you eat carbs. As a confused and starving college student, I am finding it difficult to tailor my diet to create a more balanced lifestyle, if everywhere I look I am hearing to cut out something. I feel as if there is a lot of negativity that is associated with certain or “processed” food groups that is in the end masked by the passive aggressive, “whatever works for you,” statement.
Frustrated with diets? Yeah I am too
Out of confusion and plain exhaustion, I had this idea: why not return to the resources who originally told me what was considered a balanced meal in the first place? GENIUS (I know) the answer was practically under my nose. I thought back to when I was in elementary school. When lunches came on styrofoam trays, we ate with sporks, and fought over who could have the last carton of chocolate milk.
the food pyramid poster from my cafeteria wall in 2004
As a young kindergarten, I was introduced to food pyramid where I taught 30% of meal should be devoted to grains, 30% to vegetables, 20% dairy, 10% fruit, 8% meat, and 2% essential oils and fats. So from the start, I consumed large portions of grains and dairy (c’mon what kindergartener eats vegetables get real).
Nowadays, we have moved from food pyramids to plates.
Choose your plate and portions and choosemyplate.org
Choose My Plate has surpassed the USDA’s food pyramid and swapped it for a more trendy and newfound spin on portions.
According to Choose My Plate, the grain and dairy portions remain equal, but the protein and fruit intake has significantly increased in size where as the dairy has significantly been decreased.
Throughout my research on this topic, I still hear the words of my mother in the back of my mind, “everything in moderation.” I figure as long as I’m not having cornbread muffins and lattes for breakfast every morning, I should survive, and as long as I remember to incorporate some vegetables here and there I will thrive.
Balance is Key
Balance is key, don’t beat yourself up for eating that cupcake, and try new things to figure out what diet works for you. Obviously there is no one size fits all plan, and I encourage you to play with your portions to find out what you like.
♥ Little Kelli