4 Pillars to Better Health

Ever notice how one day coffee is good for you, and the next it's leading to your early death? Or how eggs were once a big no-no and now they're almost a superfood?

All of this conflicting information can be incredibly confusing. It's what Registered Dietitian Ashley Koff calls "nutrition whiplash."

Koff also uses the term, "nutrition over-simplification." An example of that is the current USDA MyPlate representation, which consists of veggies, fruits, grains, proteins, and dairy as the "fifth" food group. But, according to Koff, you can go your whole life without traditional dairy and be completely healthy. Not only that, but the MyPlate recommendation doesn't explain which foods you should combine, which can lead individuals to eating far too many carbs in one meal.

Koff says that better nutrition can be simple; it's not easy and it's not one-size-fits-all. But it's doable. 

For instance, take a look at what you ate and drank yesterday, and consider these four factors:

1) Quality. Make sure you're eating foods, not chemistry products. An apple provides you with nutrition; an apple-flavored food does not.
2) Quantity. Your "gas tank" is only so big. If you put too much in your gas tank, things start to get messy.
3) Frequency. Think of your body like a race car. Your body needs energy about every three hours.
4) Nutrient balance. Make sure you're getting a balance of carbs, protein, healthy fats, and non-starchy veggies. 

You may also need supplementation, but try to get as much nutrition as you can from real food.

Listen in as Koff joins Naturally Savvy host, Lisa Davis, to explain the four pillars of proper nutrition and good health.