SALT LAKE CITY – One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, but a lot of people seem to choose an unhealthy dieting method, like skipping meals.

In the latest Let’s Get Moving with Maria podcast episode, host Maria Shilaos spoke with Julie Hansen, who is a registered dietician and nutritionist. They discussed some of the common diets and how those affect how we plan and eat food.

According to Hansen, some of the latest fad diets include intermittent fasting and keto. Although dieting is common, she doesn’t recommend it.

“Dieting is not something that should be taken lightly because it can actually start eating disorders,” Hansen said. “Learning to manage food and plan food is a much better way to go than to go on a diet.”

So how should we be planning our meals? Shilaos thinks we should start by organizing a grocery list.

Hansen recommends building your meal around a protein, then adding in some vegetables. If you frequently throw away your fresh vegetables because they don’t last long, consider buying frozen ones. Hansen says they are just as nutritious.

The same goes for frozen fruit. There are plenty of great options that can help you get your daily nutrition.

What about carbohydrates? Are they really the villains? Hansen says they’re not.

“It’s our fast fuel, and it’s also the only type of fuel that our brain, our red blood cells, and our central nervous system utilize,” Hansen said.

When it comes to eating healthy, she likes the three-meal approach.

“If you’re not overeating, you’re probably going to be hungry again every two to four hours,” Hansen said. “If you skip a meal and you get too hungry, you don’t care what you’re eating.”

Healthy eating is about making better decisions.

Listen to the full episode below to hear the rest!

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