How to Eat Healthy Without Doing Keto or Paleo: Advice From a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

At John Canlas Nutrition, I get a TON of questions about how to eat healthy. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I often get asked:

“Is this healthy?”
“Do I need to fast to lose weight?
“Is this food better than that one?”
“Should I eat this?”
“Is this food bad for you?”
“Does this count as healthy?”
“Eat good carbs vs bad carbs”
“Should I do keto to lose weight or paleo?”

Food, nutrition and wellness do not have to be complicated.

BUT …

Social media, magazines, and the internet have made things more complicated.

To simplify things for you and for my clients, I’d like to say that there is not one food that is “healthy.”

There are also foods that are “not healthy”.

There is not one food that is going to magically fix your health. There is also not one food that’s going to destroy your health.

This is the way I approach nutrition with my clients.

How to eat healthy – tips from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I teach my clients that ALL foods fit in a spectrum. I recommend my clients eat A TON of fruits and veggies and I also tell them to NOT take away foods they enjoy.

To eat healthy, the general rule is you want to keep MOST of your foods minimally processed. What is most? The general guideline is 80% of your food should be wholesome and minimally processed.

What does minimally processed look like?

Foods that are minimally processed look like their original source. For example, grilled chicken looks like a chicken. Sliced apple looks like apples.

MORE processed means there are MORE steps involved from the original source of the food.

Wheat grains -> wheat bread (less processed)

Wheat grains -> cupcakes, cakes (more processed)

Also, just because there are foods that are minimally processed, it does not mean you should not have them. There is absolutely a place for them. There are a TON of places to go out to eat here in the area – whether you are in Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, or Pittsburg.

Remember, that it’s the sum of ALL the foods combined that makes the difference. Depending on what your goals are and where you are in your journey, you may have different needs than the person next to you.

Do you need help learning how to have a healthy relationship with food? Let’s chat to see if the John Canlas Nutrition program would be a good fit for you!

If you are in the areas around Concord, CA like Walnut Creek, Brentwood, Vallejo, or Hayward, I offer 1:1 virtual sessions at the comfort of your home. Check to see if I am in network with your insurance!