It’s one of the most common questions I get. It comes in various forms:
- “Is this bad? As the individual holds up a food item
- “Is this OK” as the individual e-mails or text a picture of a food item
- “Can I have this?”
I get it. People want to know what they should and shouldn’t be doing. It can get very tricky though because it’s often difficult to place a food in a “good” or “bad” category. Most foods have some value.
Here’s what I mean. Is milk good or bad? It really depends. If the person has a lactase intolerance, it’s probably not the best idea. What about whole grain bread? If the individual has a problem with gluten, it’s probably best to skip it. However, if the individual is extremely active and lean and the bread is prepared properly, it might not be such a bad idea. It’s really an individual thing.
What is the goal?
This is probably the most important thing to consider. If you’re trying to make decisions without a goal, things will be tough. A vision or a goal will help provide direction. Is the goal to cut out sugar? If so, then you would simply compare the food in question to the list of sugar-free foods and you have your answer. If your goal is to simply minimize sugar, you’ll have to decide where to draw the line. Maybe you’ll limit sugar to one fruit per day.
Most people want to just get a little bit better. This is often the best approach. I encourage people to think of food and meals on a spectrum. If you’re eating a pop tart for breakfast, an egg McMuffin might be a great idea. Is it ideal? Probably not but it might be a step in the right direction.
The question I always like to ask myself is this:
Will this choice lead me closer to or further away from my goal? We can’t always be perfect but the key is having a goal and working each day toward it with intentionality.
Billy Hofacker – Owner & Transformation Coach at Total Body Boot Camp – BS, CSCS