July 17, 2023
Steven Veiga, Dietitian at Kendal at Lexington, delivers nutrition nuggets that are helpful and healthy each month in the resident newsletter, “Connections.” Read June’s article below:
Healthy living is a significant focus for many these days. The approach I often talk about with individuals looking to improve health outcomes is the 80/20 rule. This approach to healthy living can be the key to maintaining motivation while achieving desired health goals. The 80/20 rule is that “A person will see progress and have fulfillment as long as a healthy lifestyle is followed 80% of the time.” It’s really about moderation. Enjoy food and eat things without having mortal enemies.
All food is fuel and should be consumed using moderation. Having this 80/20 mindset will do the following for general wellbeing and healthy lifestyles:
- Increase happiness—Who isn’t happy eating what they want?!
- Increase motivation—20% allows someone to stumble or take a detour from the plan of healthy living without being a failure. It’s a journey, a long one at that, and isn’t over because of a bad day.
- Increase adherence—It’s much easier to stick with something for the long-term when it’s enjoyable.
- Decrease guilt—Peace of mind knowing that eating more unhealthy options still has a place in diets and should just be moderated.
- Increase health—Not only will the body be fueled, and reap the benefits; so will the mind.
Again, general health is achieved by following a healthy lifestyle of balanced diet, exercise and sleep. There is a time and place for “bad” foods or relaxation in all healthy lifestyles. Having one bad day does not mean it’s time to abandon ship or that you are a failure. Chalk it up as just a bad day. Dust it off because tomorrow is brand new. And finally, don’t beat yourself up because you had dessert. Be deliberate in lifestyle choices and abide by the 80/20 rule.