BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) -Sticking to your New Year’s resolution of eating healthy can feel challenging at times.

Registered dietitian and owner of Basic Balance Nutrition Brandi Bonin said it’s important to make sure your goals are sustainable.

Bonin advises against fad diets and anything restrictive, because those will prove challenging to maintain in the long-term.

If you’re wanting to live a healthier lifestyle and eat more nutritious foods, Bonin said it’s all about balance.

“We go over the balancing method with our clients, which is the carbohydrates, proteins, fats, but we also add non-starchy veggies as a fourth category, so that’s where we start with just the basics of nutrition,” explained Bonin.

She said it’s also important to eat meals and snacks consistently throughout the day.

“People are just amazed that they need to be eating so much more consistently,” said Bonin.

Bonin recommends eating breakfast within an hour or two of waking up.

After breakfast, Bonin said she tells clients to eat every three to four hours throughout the day.

“Biggest gap we usually see is that lunch to dinner gap. People go from like 12 to six, don’t eat anything and they’re wondering why they have no energy and they’re like running on fumes in the afternoon,” said Bonin. “It’s because they’re hungry. You’re not fueled to get through the day.”

She also said it’s best to avoid eating within the hour you’re going to sleep because it can cause sleep disruptions and GI discomfort.

When it comes to what we should be eating, Bonin said anything can fit into a balanced diet!

She said she doesn’t like to use the term “anything in moderation” because it can psychologically put a restrictive mindset on us.

Bonin adds that diets like gluten free, or keto are not needed because they don’t necessarily mean healthier.

“A gluten free diet, for instance, is really specifically for people with celiac disease,” explained Bonin. “The diet industry came in and they’re like ‘do a gluten-free diet it’s healthy for you’, but that’s really not the case.”

Lastly, Bonin said instead of fixating on the number on the scale, focus on the positive changes that are happening with how you look and feel.

She said your weight is not an accurate representation of health.

“There’s a lot of different studies about when we put so much emphasis on that number on the scale it actually ends up increasing our cortisol which is our stress hormone and whenever that increases it actually makes us gain or retain weight,” added Bonin.

To wrap it up, avoid restrictive diets, make sure you’re eating consistently and stick to a balanced diet to provide your body the fuel it needs.

Bonin said implementing these changes may help improve your health and make it easier to stay on track with your 2024 goals!

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