Eating Well by Using the 80/20 Rule

When we start thinking of our New Years resolutions to ‘eat healthy’, we suddenly find ourselves researching “What is the best diet” and going through the yo-yo cycle of dieting on and off all year. We personally believe the diet that is the best, is the one works best for YOU. You don’t even have to call it a diet and just call it “ Good Nutrition”.

The 80/20 rule can be applied to help you balance your eating. The 80/20 rule refers to the idea that 80% of the food you eat in a day is largely whole foods with a combination of complex carbs (carbs that slowly absorb into your body, such as kumara or whole grains, rather than ones that give you a quick sugar spike like white bread), lean protein (skin-off chicken, eggs, beans etc.), and fruit and vegetables. Some healthy fats such as avocado or nuts can be included which will slow your digestion and help you feel fuller for longer, decreasing your likelihood of overeating. That other 20% gives you room for the occasional meal out with friends, or a bit of chocolate with your tea before bed.

The key word is balance. It is unrealistic to eat foods that are optimal for our physical bodies 100% of the time. Restricting yourself to only ‘healthy’ foods can be achievable for a while, but this type of restriction may lead you to feel out of control and end up overeating in a yo-yo style of nutrition.

Instead, applying the 80/20 rule can aid you in long-term commitment to your health, and help you work towards your goals more consistently.