food during real life, not ideal life
most conversations around food assume you’re living an ideal life
Eating well is often talked about like it requires structure, time, and a perfectly planned day. But let’s be honest, most of us are not living that kind of life.
Real life looks different for many of us. Long workdays, low energy, a family to take care of, after-school activities, girls’ nights, date nights, takeout, and meals that come together quickly, or not at all.
Right now, I’m 11 days post-op, and if I’m being honest, I’m not operating at full capacity. I’m cooking less, resting more, and letting things be simpler than I normally would. Shoutout to my husband for holding it down in the kitchen.
With everything my body has been through recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it actually means to eat well. Not in an ideal life, but in real life. Because the truth is, eating well shouldn’t depend on having everything perfectly in place.
For me, it comes down to what I keep on hand and how I use it. Not a strict plan or a routine I have to follow perfectly, just a few things I can rely on even when I don’t feel like doing much.
Grains I can throw together without thinking, beans and lentils for something filling, simple proteins, fresh or roasted vegetables.
Tofu is always part of that. I love tofu. I’ve been fully plant-based for almost 20 years, and at this point, it’s simply how I live. Not a diet, just a way of eating that feels natural to me. And no, my husband isn’t plant-based, and it’s never been a big deal. I’ve also never cooked meat in my life, so I’m no help to him there, lol. Pass me the vegetables.
One thing I do try to stay mindful of, regardless of the season, is fiber. Not in an overthought, track-everything kind of way, but as a baseline for how I build my meals. Fiber supports digestion, helps keep you full, and plays a role in everything from energy levels to hormone health. Most of the time, when you’re eating whole foods, you’re already getting it in. Beans, lentils, vegetables, whole grains, fruit. It’s simpler than we make it.
I think we’ve made eating well feel like something you have to get right, like it only counts if you’re fully committed and consistent. Honestly, I don’t think that’s realistic.
Some days look like a thoughtfully planned, home-cooked meal. Other days look like something quick, something ordered, or something you barely have the energy to put together. And both can exist.
Because eating well isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s more about what you come back to most of the time.
Whole foods aren’t a trend. They’re not a gimmick or a catch phrase on a cute t-shirt. They’re simply food that supports your body over time. And that matters, whether you’re thinking about fertility or trying to conceive, or not. This is about your everyday health, your energy, and your long-term wellbeing.
Here’s what a typical morning looks like for me. I start with water first, always. Breakfast is usually something simple, like:
overnight oats (I have my go-to recipe to share with you)
apples with peanut butter
a yogurt bowl, or sometimes just yogurt on its own
a tofu scramble if I want something savoury
toast, with avocado or tomato on top
or a smoothie - I live for e+rose’s no bread smoothie
After that, I’ll have an unsweetened oat matcha or an oat cappuccino. Nothing elaborate, just things I can put together easily that still feel good.
If anything, this season has reminded me that eating well doesn’t require an ideal life. It just requires a little awareness, a few staples, and the willingness to keep things simple. Not perfect, not aesthetic, just supportive.
And that can look like whatever is realistic for you. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing to count. And if you want to make it pretty, please do. I’m guilty of that too, former food blogger here.
If you’ve been feeling like you need to get back on track, maybe you don’t. Maybe you just need to meet yourself where you are and start there.
x, holy
