5 Rookie Nutrition Mistakes

Think you eat healthy? You could be making one of these 5 Rookie Nutrition Mistakes and not even know it!

There are so many do’s and don’ts when it comes to healthy eating and there is information coming at us left, right and centre about what we should be eating, how often and the ‘right’ quantities. These 5 Rookie Nutrition Mistakes are simple mistakes that a lot of people make when they are starting out on their healthy living journey.

Check out these 5 Rookie Nutrition Mistakes below and read on to the end to be in the draw to win a $50 Voucher to a supermarket of your choice.

// Not Reading Food Labels
It’s important to be able to decipher food labels and read the ingredients in the food you are eating. Whilst you don’t need to get obsessed about food labels, being able to read them is an important skill to have – to understand how many calories are in your food (see the last point of this post too!) and what is actually in your food. Next time you are trying to decide between two brands of the same product, turn to the food label and read the list of ingredients – do you know what all the ingredients are? Good! Add it to your basket! Don’t know what some of the ingredients are? Take a second thought about purchasing it.

// Not Being Prepared
Not being prepared is a big nutrition mistake. It’s those times when you really need something in a hurry when you generally reach for processed foods or takeaways; if you’re prepared you are more likely to go for the healthier option. My Main Course has brought out a range of meal bases that are perfect to pop in your fridge to help keep you prepared for the week ahead. Just add a few pantry staples and you’ll have a range of delicious meals which don’t take long to prepare.

// Not Eating Enough Protein or Vegetables
There are two things we constantly see when we review food diaries for our Bootcampers; a lack of protein and vegetables. The typical diet in New Zealand is very dense in carbohydrates and processed food. We need protein to help our muscles grow and repair and build body tissue. Vegetables give us micro-nutrients that we just don’t get from some other forms of food. We often get told by people that they eat a lot of vegetables and, on reviewing their food diary, the only meal with vegetables or a decent level of protein in it is dinner. Set yourself a challenge to add protein and vegetables to EVERY meal of the day!

// Being Afraid Of Eating Fat
Repeat after me…. Fat will NOT make you fat! It’s the abundance of processed foods and lack of exercise that will make you fat. No I’m not advocating going out and filling your whole plate with fats; however, good fats such as coconut oil, avocado and nuts and seeds are an essential part of any diet. Omega 3 fats are the best type of fats and are great for reducing inflammation and have been linked to an increase in cognitive (brain and memory) function.

// Thinking That All That Matters Is Calories
I’ll admit it, I’ve been there and done the calorie-counting thing. Whilst calories are important, what is more important is the source of those calories. 300 calories of vegetables looks a lot different (and feels a lot different in the body) than 300 calories of chips. Instead, choose to look at the nutritional value and where your food came from – for example with eggs, meat, fruit, seeds, nuts and vegetables, you know you could theoretically plant or grow them yourself, plus  you know what the ingredients are because the name of the food is the sole ingredient. Lollies and chips for example would be difficult for you to make yourself at home and if you read the ingredient panel there will be a huge list of items you may not even understand how to say them let alone have the ingredient in your pantry.

~~ WIN ~~ Competition now closed, winner has been contacted.

To be in the draw to win a $50 Supermarket Voucher (the winner can let me know which supermarket they would prefer) thanks to My Main Course simply comment below and let me know your favourite healthy dinner idea! (NZ Entrants Only)

This post was made possible thanks to My Main Course, the easy way to prepare fast and healthy meals – as usual all content and opinions are my own.