What’s a typical morning routine like for you? Do you have any habits that you like to start your day with?

I work from home so it’s important for me to have a routine. I’ll wake up and drink alkaline water and take my probiotics, organic sulfur, and my supplements. Then I’ll go outside for a run or walk or do my mindset practice. For my mindset practice, I listen to Kundalini yoga music — it’s really helpful to slow your mind down and I think it’s really important that people are aware of their thoughts. The mindset, the attitude, and the amount of positivity you can start your day with can really spiral through you so it’s super important to get your thoughts geared toward something helpful, happy, and positive before you start rolling through the rest of the day.

What are your foundations for building a healthy, balanced meal?

I base everything around vegetables and I’m always stocked with frozen and fresh produce. When I eat lunch or dinner, the majority of my plate is greens and both raw and cooked veggies of all different colors. I want my meals to be nutrient dense and plant based because that’s where we’re getting our vitamins and minerals from.

I do eat protein, but I focus on knowing where it comes from — organic, grass fed sources. I know different bodies thrive on different types of meat — my clients have all kinds of food sensitivities, so what may work for one person doesn’t work for everyone. A lot of vegetables do work for most people though, and if you do eat protein, make sure it’s from a good, organic source.

What may work for one person doesn’t work for everyone. A lot of vegetables do work for most people though, and when you eat protein, make sure it’s from a good source.

What are some of your go-to quick, healthy meals for a busy day?

Eggs! I’ll often have hard boiled eggs ready to go in my refrigerator for snacks so that there’s always something ready. Most of the time, I can eat at home because most of the meals I make take so little time. Sometimes I’ll buy green juice and pour it in my water bottle and bring along an apple with a pack of almonds.

I always have food in my purse just because I know myself and I’m the type of person that really wants good nutrients in my body— so if I’m in a position that there isn’t anything, that way I’m not going to go and just eat anything.

What are some keys to success for sticking to a healthy diet when you’re busy and on the go all day?

I think that what’s important is you are prepared — you can’t skip going to the grocery store and then say there’s nothing to eat. Today, there are so many good resources for grocery delivery services if you really don’t have time. You have to have things on hand to be able to choose from. The more that people understand what food does for their body, they’re going to want it. When you start to eat healthier, you just feel so different to where those choices aren’t tempting anymore. There are also a lot of alternatives out there for different products — instead of going for an acidic energy drink or too much coffee, look for alkaline coffee or Teechino.

How does maintaining a healthy diet make you feel (both mentally and physically?)

Maintaining a healthy diet really makes all the difference. I thrive on it — I don’t want to feel bad, I want vitality, I want to be able to be able to do the things I enjoy — eating this way allows me to do that. If you figure out the foods that work great with you and if you understand what works in your body and you actually follow that, it’s amazing.

What do you tell clients when they don’t make meals a priority or say they don’t have the time so they settle for processed or fast foods?

This definitely circles back to just being prepared— like packing snacks like nuts and hard boiling eggs. There’s a price to pay when you’re not eating right — what’s it doing to your body, what is it going to cost your health later on? If you absolutely need to drive through somewhere, go to the grocery store and grab fresh vegetable packs or a salad. Unless you’re living in a rural area, there isn’t really an excuse. If it’s important to you, you will make time for it.

You can’t skip going to the grocery store and then say there’s nothing to eat.

Do you have any foods that are off limits, and what food groups do you recommend most people should avoid?

I recommend for people to avoid pork, because it is very difficult to digest and seen as toxic to the body, primarily because [pigs] eat a lot of not so great things — therefore you are eating them too (garbage, dirt, parasites.) I recommend avoiding dairy, specifically [products] from cows (unless they are organic, raw and unpasteurized.) Eliminate the milk, cheese, yogurts, ice creams from milk products and see how you feel, then you’ll know the difference it makes.

Food matters. The body that you have right now is a reflection of all the things you’ve been doing, eating, and living— including your mindset and stress levels.

The other huge item I recommend avoiding is sugar! I know this means a lot of different things to different people, but certainly avoid any processed, refined or added sugars. Specifically, [sugars] that are used in cookies, cakes, and most other desserts, white flours and snack foods (like crackers, chips, pastas, and breads.) If you suffer from chronic inflammation, or any types of digestive issues, try omitting gluten containing grains (barley, wheat, rye) and definitely only have organic and/or GMO-free corn products. MSG (monosodium glutamate) should be avoided whenever possible.

Any last advice?

Food matters. The body that you have right now is a reflection of all the things you’ve been doing, eating, and living — including your mindset and stress levels. It’s all changeable so if you’re not happy with it, you have the power to change. It starts with what you eat all day long.

Jodi’s Go-To Meals:

Breakfast

ground chia meal, flax milk, and fruit bowl
egg crepes with sauteed vegetables
hard boiled eggs
green smoothies

Lunch

salads (a combo of protein [optional] and raw/cooked vegetables)
tuna or salmon with eggs
lettuce wraps with vegetables or protein

Dinner

grilled fish and salads
grassfed bison burgers
vegetable soups – carrots, ginger, leafy greens, peppers, tomatoes with organic bone broths, organic vegetable broths, and dairy-free bases
stir fry – combine protein (optional) with vegetables like peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, snow peas, cabbage, and fresh ginger and whole grains like brown rice, gluten free noodles, or quinoa
cauliflower rice

Snacks

nuts and seeds
fruit
raw vegetables with guacamole or salsa
raw vegetables with hummus (mixed with marinara sauce)
snap peas and mini peppers
dehydrated plantains or vegetables
matcha tea lattes or teecinno coffee alternatives

How to Eat Healthy and Stay Balanced, According to a Dietitian