Scrolling through your feed, you’ll find endless recipes, tips, and tricks for the next health kick. That delicious looking smoothie bowl or the photogenic salad with grilled chicken looks delicious. But it may not work for you.  

Healthy isn’t my favorite word to use but I’ll use it in this context. I like to define healthy as a way of eating that helps you to function and feel good in your body. What does that mean? And what does it look like?  

We all have an idea in our heads about what healthy eating is. Honestly, I think the bar is super subjective. I need something green. I need to avoid fried foods. I can’t have ice-cream anymore. You name it. Everyone has their own “definition” of healthy eating. If we dive a little deeper, healthy eating is not simply what you had for lunch yesterday. Or what’s for dinner tonight. That idea of healthy is so limited and miserable. If that was my idea of healthy, I would kick my health to the curb and say forget it.  

Think of health as a lifestyle instead of a singular meal. We put so much pressure on an individual meal that it’s sickening. If I don’t have raw veggies with this lunch, it doesn’t make the cut. I had something sweet today, so I need to start over tomorrow. Where on earth does this mindset come from?  

I love and hate social media. And health marketing. It gives ideal pictures with very poor application into reality. Sorry. I don’t really find delight in having cold salad every single day for the rest of my life. Sometimes I just need my favorite milk tea with tapioca bubbles to make my day complete. Other days maybe some barbecue rib tips. But what am I getting at with all this rambling?  

Now you asked WHERE to start. I recommend starting with the meal that makes the most sense to YOU. Not your mom, not your friends, and not the people that judge you for what you eat. For example, if work is unpredictable and meetings come unplanned then probably lunch is not the best meal to start with. If dinner is at a predictable time and there are less factors that make it a toss-up, then start there. Do you want to start fresh in the morning? Then breakfast is a good idea. Is a meal is too overwhelming? That’s okay. Start with a snack in the morning or in the afternoon.  

What I am trying to get at here is that where you are most comfortable is the best place to start. Some days, I really want ice-cream. So, I add peanuts and chocolate chips for my additional protein, fats, and antioxidants for the day. Not to brag, but the ice-cream gives me a great source of calcium too. Do you want a donut? Then have it. Maybe pair it with a glass of milk or something. Allergic to peanuts? Then please don’t add them. Lactose intolerant? Find something else that sounds good with that donut. Do you want to add a veggie? Pick one. If you like ranch, I don’t care if it’s the fat-free or regular kind. Do what you want to do.  

To cut to the chase, there is no perfect place to start. It’s where YOU WANT TO START. It doesn’t have to be for any rhyme or reason. Just enough to motivate you to start. Is that boring answer? I hope it is so underwhelming that it would be silly for you not to try.