What is the 80/20 Rule?
November 12, 2020
80%
80% of the foods I eat fuel my body to exercise, do work, put me in a good mood, and give me that extra boost of energy.
For myself that would include carbs (whole grains, oats, potatoes, fruits, veggies, rice, etc), healthy fats (avocado, olive/coconut oil, nut butters, salmon, etc), and of course ~ protein (eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, etc)
20%
20% of the foods I eat are not considered 'healthy'. Although nothing is 'off limits' to me, I consume everything in moderation. I have a sweet tooth and I love to eat cakes, doughnuts, pancakes and would never dream of cutting them out of my diet completely! Almost every day I have something that is not classified as "healthy". Either that or I'll go out to eat with a friend, indulge in a movie night, or order in. The 20% is for me to 'just live' and not deprive myself.
Balance
I start most mornings with dark chocolate and green tea. I can't have grilled chicken without french fries. I eat vegetables with sweet chili sauce. Some days most of the foods I consume are fueling, healthy, and nutrient dense. Then there are other days when I'm on a vacation/holiday, go to dinner with friends, or have a crazy schedule where I can't have my normal nutritious options readily available. It's all about being able to give and take. When I'm off track I never "dread" going back on because I know I am just cleaning up my diet. I'm not cutting out anything completely and I'm just making myself and my body feel better - to do better.
How do I do that while following a Meal Program?
When I follow my meal program I make a point to have 2-3 meals a week that are not on the program. In my opinion, to follow anything to a T for a long period of time can become obsessive and hard to get out of. Going off the meal program every once in a while doesn't mean you failed - sometimes it means you chose to live your life. Go out to dinner, order in, and create that balance for yourself a few times a week. One meal is not going to interrupt your progress when 80% of the meals you have encourage it - it's all about the majority.
