The Two Questions That Can Completely Change the Way You Eat

Healthy eating can get complicated really fast.

Is this healthy enough? Does it fit my macros? Should I be eating this? Is there enough protein? Too many carbs? What if I don’t like the recipe? What if I don’t have half the ingredients?

Eventually, food starts to feel like a pass-or-fail test instead of something we get to enjoy.

But what if, instead of asking whether a meal is “good enough,” we asked two much simpler questions:

What else could I add?

What could I change?

That tiny shift keeps your brain open instead of immediately deciding, Well, this won’t work for me.

Start With What You Have

Imagine you open the refrigerator and there’s some leftover chicken.

A closed mindset sees chicken and thinks, Ugh. I don’t know what to make.

An open mindset asks:

What else?

Chicken gives you protein.

What else?

Maybe a sweet potato for energy.

What else?

A salad, roasted vegetables or berries for fiber and color.

What else?

A Greek yogurt or cottage cheese sauce with seasonings you actually love.

What else?

Lemon water, electrolytes or another drink that supports the meal.

Suddenly, the random chicken in your refrigerator has turned into an entire meal — without a recipe, complicated meal prep or starting over.

That’s the skill we really want to develop: learning how to build instead of judge.

Climb Two Ladders

When you look at a meal, imagine there are two ladders sitting next to it.

One is your Nourishment Ladder.

Think about:

Energy. Protein. Fiber. Hydration.

The other is your Enjoyment Ladder.

Think about:

Flavor. Texture. Comfort. Satisfaction.

Your goal isn't to sacrifice one for the other.

We want both.

Because a meal can be incredibly nutritious, but if you hate eating it, how realistic is it that you'll continue eating that way for years?

And something can taste amazing, but if it leaves you tired, hungry or unsatisfied shortly afterward, that's not serving you either.

The sweet spot is learning how to keep climbing both ladders.

Your Food Doesn't Have to Look Like Anyone Else's

This is where nutrition gets fun.

Breakfast doesn't have to be eggs and toast.

Lunch doesn't have to be a salad.

Healthy food doesn't have to be bland.

And you don't have to abandon an entire recipe because there's one ingredient you don't like.

Think of food more like getting your clothes tailored.

If the jeans don't fit your body perfectly, that doesn't mean there's something wrong with your body. You alter the jeans.

Do the same thing with your meals.

Swap the ingredient. Add something. Remove something. Change the seasoning. Make it easier. Turn dinner leftovers into breakfast if that's what sounds good.

Make the food fit you.

Try This Today

The next time you're standing in front of your refrigerator thinking, I have nothing to eat, choose one thing you know you'll eat.

Then ask:

What else?

Keep going until the meal feels nourishing and enjoyable.

And if adding isn't the answer, ask:

What could I swap?

You don't need the perfect meal.

You need the ability to look at what you have, listen to what your body needs and create something that works for your real life.

Because long-term nutrition isn't about becoming really good at following someone else's rules.

It's about becoming really good at taking care of you.

Talk with a StrongSelves coach