Live Q&As

I hadn't really thought about my diet in terms of processed/unprocessed before my friend brought it up. For many years I equated "healthy" with "good for weight loss" -- in my mind that meant low-fat and low-calorie according to clearly marked nutrition labels. I lost weight this way and believed that was the only way I could maintain the loss. Even when my friend suggested cutting out the processed foods, I in no way planned to give them up forever. The pre-portioned foods, the labels, etc. were definitely a crutch for me; I didn't really believe that I could live a healthy life without them. I'm not sure if that makes sense or if it answers your question -- please let me know if I can clarify more.

It's hard for me to say "yes, this is healthy" or "no, that is not healthy." I've learned that foods that work for one person might not work for someone else. In the case of the trail mix, it sounds delicious! I don't really eat snacks so I don't see myself incorporating it into my life, but if it works for you and your goals, that's awesome. Yogurt parfaits don't work for me simply because I don't enjoy anything sweet for breakfast. It's just a palatability issue for me. But again, if you enjoy it and it gives you energy, keeps you full, etc., that's great. If I could make one comment, I'd suggest not thinking about food in terms of "good" or "bad." I believe is something to be enjoyed, that it can make you feel great (while you're eating it and afterward), and that it can support your goals. Thinking about food choices as exactly that -- a conscious choice -- can be very freeing.

Wonderful! It's great to hear that you've found habits that work for you.

Hi Patty! This is a great question, and something a lot of people struggle with. I guess my question for you would be this: Is socializing difficult because of temptations? Because you feel pressured by the people you're out with to eat or drink something you don't want to? Because you don't want to draw attention to yourself or what your eating? Because you don't trust that food at a restaurant or a party can be modified for your preferences? (That's more than one question, I know.) My point is just that there are a lot of different factors at play when you leave your own kitchen; identifying the one that pertains to you can be really helpful. My best advice isn't any more complicated than other advice you've probably read/received: Plan ahead by checking out a menu online or calling the restaurant ahead of time to discuss modifications.  Don't feel like you need to explain/defend your food choice -- whether that's the choice to order a salad or order a piece of cake. At the end of the day, socializing is intended to be FUN. It shouldn't be a source of stress or worry. I'd also suggest finding non-food/alcohol-related ways to go out with friends or celebrate special occasions. Some friends and I recently tried indoor rock climbing! An acquaintance in NYC recently celebrated her 30th birthday by taking her friends to a SoulCycle -- the stories that came out of that are hysterical and memorable. I hope this is helpful!

I suppose "moderation" isn't really that sexy, but moderation can mean different things for different people. Some people thrive on a diet that includes animal products, while others don't. Same goes for whole wheat bread. In my experience, there's no magic formula that's going to work for everyone. I hope this helps inspire people to explore what works for them instead of just following a "fad."

Most of my meals are not based on recipes. I honestly don't have the time or patience for it. That being said, I love cookbooks and there are some great resources online that I go to for inspiration; I'm also a huge fan of the Food Network and Cooking Channel. Usually I can figure out a way to modify recipes to suit my needs, if something that isn't "healthy" strikes my fancy.

I don't think dairy is good or evil, and I'm wary of anyone who classifies any food as good/evil. If you tolerate dairy and enjoy it, fantastic! If you don't feel well eating it or if you simply don't like it, that's another story. I personally don't like most dairy products, apart from ice cream and the world's more pungent cheeses, which are not a part of my daily (or even monthly) diet. I definitely don't stress about dairy either way.

Oh boy, there are a lot of conflicting thoughts on this. I think this is something that is going to vary from person to person based on your goals, your schedule and your personal preferences. Some people might do really well eating a large dinner after working out, for example, while others might have trouble sleeping if they eat a lot in the evening. Some people like a hearty breakfast, while others can't stomach food for a few hours after waking. I'd suggest experimenting with different meal sizes/times to see what you prefer. You might find you like 3 equal-sized meals.

Absolutely! Glad to hear you found what works for you. I like that you mentioned trial-and-error -- sometimes I joke that I feel like getting my eating and health on track feels like a big experiment.

First off, congrats on not just changing your eating habits but for finding a new skill, cooking!

The situation with your SO is a tough one. I wish I had some personal advice to share, but I'm single and live alone (which makes the whole process much easier). I assume that while he isn't on board with these changes for himself, he's not actively undermining your choices either. One tactic that friends of mine use is to set aside one or two cupboards, pantry shelves, etc. for foods that your partner or roommate eats. Hopefully he wouldn't mind an area of the kitchen devoted just to him -- and if the foods are out of sight, maybe you won't be as tempted.

I'd love to open this up for suggestions from anyone who is following along. Any advice?

I totally agree -- clean eating does mean different things to different people. I've been chastised for eating baby carrots because they undergo an industrial process to make them "baby." (Note: I still eat baby carrots.) I can't really point to a plan, book, etc. because I haven't seen anything that perfectly matches the style of eating that works for me. I try to eat food with minimal or no packaging. If it has a package, I look at the ingredients and make sure I recognize everything on the list. I once heard or read that a good way to look at an ingredients list is to ask yourself: "Would my great-grandmother have recognized this?" Something to consider... I hope this at least somewhat answered your question!

Oh, I totally relate to this! I flip-flopped between different diet plans because something would work for a time, then suddenly not work anymore. It took a long time to realize that what my body needs will vary from day-to-day, week-to-week, year-to-year. I would suggest that you not try to replicate what you were doing last year, but try to figure out what your body's needs are now. If aspects of your lifestyle have changed (new job, different sleep schedule, more exercise), the nutrition that your body requires might have to change too. My response to you makes me cringe because if someone had given me this "advice" when I was in your position, I would have been disappointed by the lack of specificity. But just remember that you live with your body, you know it better than anyone else (definitely better than me).

Thank you! That is very kind, I'm thrilled that it resonated with you. By the way, I LOVE the idea of a cooking school column.