Many people, especially in this day and age, have more and more hindrances on what they can, can’t, or won’t eat. And I’m not here to judge other people’s eating habits, but I want to discuss the idea of eating healthy.

Food is our fuel. It’s what keeps us going and makes sure we have the energy for the day. Food is the best way to get nutrients and calories, all of which we need to survive. I’m not going to give the argument of “Don’t you want good fuel as opposed to bad fuel?” The truth is, I like dessert. I like bread and cheese and sugar and pasta and pizza and juice. I like those things that many people will be quick to say are “bad” for you. Labeling food in that way is just going to develop an unhealthy relationship with food. All foods have their merit. More important than foods that are good or bad is the nutrition of the foods you consume. If the only food that you eat all the time is fast food, then your body probably isn’t going to do as well. You don’t have to completely cut out those kinds of food, but make sure you find a balance.

Now I am not a dietitian. I am not licensed to directly help anyone with their nutrition plan. But I can provide general rules, guidelines, and options. I can also talk about the things I have done in my life.

It’s not really a secret that I want to lose weight. I am taking steps to do that this year. One of those steps is the idea of healthier, homemade meals. I am incredibly thankful that I live in a house where there aren’t many dietary restrictions. But I am also thankful that there are becoming more options for people who have those restrictions. I see the direct impact of people with food limits though. My mom is now gluten-free. I have another friend who is trying a more vegan diet. I know many lactose intolerant people as well. So, even though, my household may not be directly affected, we have agreed to make at least one meal gluten-free each week, and either another or the same meal is vegetarian. In this way, we’re able to vary up our diet more and look for ways that add nutrition.

My partner and I attended a plant-based cooking class last month. We got a few recipes, a lot of tips, and a tasting of some of those recipes. One of my biggest takeaways was how varied a plant-based diet could be. The nutrition coach that led the class also provided us a template for salads and bowls that will help us create our own recipes. I really loved that. I didn’t feel constrained by one thing if there were ingredients I didn’t like.

I’m already seeing results of some of these choices. I have gotten really good at cooking tofu and I actually enjoy it in meals. I also tend to make healthier decisions when I go out to eat. While a burger and fries may still sound good at times, it’s not usually my go-to anymore. Choosing healthier foods also encourages me to take other beneficial steps. I want to drink more water. I want to exercise more. Lately, I’ve been working on stretching every day too.

Focusing on these choices really helps shape the end goal. I absolutely want to lose weight. But I’m more focused on the steps and routines I build to get there rather than the number my scale tells me. I’m not necessarily looking for some dramatic transformation. Taking the steps to a healthy lifestyle will lead me to lose the pounds I want. I am only unhappy because I know I could be healthier, not because of how much I weigh.

If you don’t know where to start, I recommend taking the smallest step you can possibly manage. I love to look at Pinterest for ideas. I usually just search “budget healthy dinner recipes” and then tweak my search as needed. Start with one vegetarian meal. Eat one serving of fruit per day (even if it’s a fruit cup). Drink 5 more ounces of water than you did yesterday. Healthy changes don’t have to be drastic. They can be as small as needed.

I am so thankful that we live in an age that is starting to normalize healthy eating, at least to some extent. Guess what? You still get the nutrients of the salad even if you put a lot of dressing on it. Flavored water still counts towards body hydration purposes. Eating applesauce is still a serving of fruit. Sugar isn’t inherently bad for you. Your body needs it. It’s okay to eat big meals you wouldn’t normally eat. It’s okay to go out to dinner every now and then. What’s less okay is harming your relationship to food because of the things you’ve been told or believed.

If this is something you’re interested in, you can do this. I believe in you. Again, take small steps. Make small changes to help your body. Then you can take another small step, and then another, and then another. Pretty soon, your choices will be a lot different, and you may even feel better too!