Eating a healthy and balanced diet can be tricky, especially with so much conflicting information out there. It can be easy to fall into bad habits or make the wrong choices when it comes to what we eat.

That’s why it’s important to assess our diets and make sure we’re on the right track. Here are 5 points to consider when evaluating your diet:.

1. Variety

One of the key components of a healthy diet is variety. Eating a range of different foods helps to ensure that we’re getting all the nutrients we need.

This means incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats into our meals.

To assess the variety of your diet, you can keep a food diary for a week and note down all the different types of foods you eat.

If you notice that you’re eating the same things over and over again, try to mix it up by trying new recipes or incorporating different ingredients into your meals.

2. Balance

Another important aspect of a healthy diet is balance. This means eating the right amount of different foods to ensure we’re getting the nutrients we need without overdoing it on any particular food group.

To assess the balance of your diet, you can use the plate method. This involves dividing your plate into quarters, with half being filled with fruits and vegetables, a quarter with lean protein, and a quarter with whole grains.

This ensures you’re getting a good mix of nutrients in each meal.

3. Moderation

While it’s important to eat a healthy and balanced diet, it’s also important to enjoy the foods you love in moderation.

Cutting out entire food groups or depriving yourself of the foods you enjoy can lead to feelings of deprivation and ultimately derail your healthy eating goals.

To assess the moderation of your diet, think about how often you’re indulging in your favorite treats or less healthy choices.

If you’re finding that you’re reaching for these foods on a daily basis, try to cut back and enjoy them in moderation.

4. Nutrient Density

Nutrient density refers to the amount of nutrients in a food relative to its calorie content. Foods that are nutrient-dense are typically more filling and provide more nutrients per calorie than foods that are low in nutrients.

To assess the nutrient density of your diet, look at the types of foods you’re eating.

Are you getting a good mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins? Are you incorporating healthy fats like nuts and seeds into your meals? If you’re unsure, try using a food tracking app to track your nutrient intake.

5. Sustainability

Last but not least, it’s important to have a diet that is sustainable and enjoyable in the long-term. Making drastic changes to our diets or following restrictive diets can be tough to maintain over time.

To assess the sustainability of your diet, think about whether your eating habits are something you can see yourself sticking to for the long-term.

Are you enjoying the foods you’re eating? Is your diet flexible enough to allow for social events or eating out? If not, consider making some adjustments to make your healthy eating goals more sustainable.