Shifting Focus: Why Looking at Weekly Nutrition Intake Can Lead to a Balanced Diet

Hey there! Are you trying to maintain a healthy diet? While paying attention to what you eat daily is great, our accredited practising dietitians wanted to share a helpful tip with you. Focusing on your weekly nutritional intake may be a more effective way to achieve your health goals.

By looking at your nutritional intake over a week, you can be more flexible with your diet. If you have a treat day, don't worry; you can make up for it with healthier choices later in the week. This can help alleviate the stress and guilt of indulging in your favourite foods.

Also, tracking your weekly nutritional intake allows you to identify patterns and adjust your diet accordingly. If you notice that you consistently fall short on protein intake, you can try to incorporate more protein-rich foods into your meals.

So, how can you track your weekly nutritional intake? You can log your meals and snacks throughout the week using a food journal or app. Or, you can focus on hitting certain nutritional targets each week, such as consuming a certain number of servings of fruits and vegetables, a certain amount of protein, or healthy fats. You might even consider working with an accredited practising dietitian to help you develop a personalized plan for meeting your nutritional needs.

Here are some tips to help you improve your weekly nutritional intake: prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats; plan your meals ahead of time; don't be too strict on yourself; balance is key; stay hydrated by drinking enough water; and get support from friends, family, or a support group to help you stay motivated and accountable.

Remember, achieving a healthy diet is a journey, not a destination. Focusing on your weekly nutritional intake and making small, sustainable changes over time, you can achieve your health goals and improve your overall well-being.