What would you tell someone who knows literally nothing about cooking, eating or nutrition.

[Anonymous]

26F, grew up LMC and it’s frankly miraculous I have made it to this age without serious health issues. I am naturally thin, barely above underweight. As a child I would eat cereal or chips for dinner for months on end. I’m ready to eat healthy and wondering where to begin.

[Anonymous]

This is a decent list. Check some out from the library.
https://booksrun.com/blog/best-nutrition-books-for-beginners/

For cooking: How to Cook everything by Mark Bittman is a great guide.
Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

But in general the adage works: "eat, mostly plants, not too much". Plants does not mean chips.

[Anonymous]

I am an Eagles fan. I will reply here tomorrow. I understand your question exactly.

[Anonymous]

Eat whole foods and as little processed food and added sugar as possible - vegetables and fruits, try for mostly whole grain for carbs, nuts, greek yogurt, etc. Make your own of whatever you can - salad dressing,

For cooking, keep it simple - do a carb, a protein, and a vegetable with a bit of healthy fats. Also, you don't have to deprive yourself just balance and everything in moderation.

[Anonymous]

I loved the Eat This, Not That book series. Short, to the point, had pictures. Didn't tell you to NOT eat stuff, just making the better choices. This was also the book that me started with cooking- and knowing I can make better food at home with a few simple ingredients.

[Anonymous]

Michael Pollan's simple advice:

Eat food (real food)
Mostly plants (fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, whole grains, etc)
Not too much.

[Anonymous]

This was me, exactly. I’m mid 40s. To start, why don’t you try something like blue apron that will send you the ingredients and the recipes. I don’t think it’s sustainable to do this long term, but it will really help you get started and build your cooking confidence. Good luck! And for me, I married someone who loves to cook so it really helps. Also, I developed a serious autoimmune issue in my late 20s and needed to take a harder look at my eating habits as part of overall getting healthy. Took up yoga at that time as well, which I still do.

[Anonymous]

This book!

I grew up LMC in the Midwest.

Our meals were pretty much hamburger helper, rica a roni, sloppy joes, canned soup casseroles.


I got this book shorty after getting married (and living on fast food and ramen in college).

I LOVE it. 15 yrs later I still reference it. It explains what tools you need, how to use different ingredients and techniques, then offers recipes (that are excellent) to practice and experiment. The recipe steps walk you through exactly what to do and how to do it. It has a good mix of your very basic plus some advanced cooking techniques that are not hard to master, when given specific instructions.

https://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewarts-Cooking-School-Lessons/dp/0307396444/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GGO0VBW5ALKD&keywords=martha+stewart+cooking+school&qid=1676295400&sprefix=marth+stewart+cooking+school%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-1

[Anonymous]

I'd start by finding healthier versions of what you like to eat.

What do you like to eat?

[Anonymous]

Not being sure where you are right now, I will say the best way to eat is choosing foods without labels as much as possible. What I mean is choose foods that don’t have ingredients. Foods that are what they are. What are you eating today?

[Anonymous]

I'd tell you to see a registered dietician. NOT a nutritionist, but a registered dietician. They are qualified to tell people how to eat. Not strangers on the internet.

[Anonymous]

1. Shop the perimeter at the grocery store.
2. Get a copy of How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman

[Anonymous]

Very basic suggestions.

Avoid anything with sugar--especially sugary drinks.

Try Salmon with brown rice.

Buy prepackaged salad kits.

Only eat whole grain or whole wheat bread/toast.

Drink lots of water each day. (If tap water, buy a filter for your tap.)

If you try fish, the trick is to avoid overcooking fish.

Chicken is good. Baked chicken is easy to make.

Buy Steamfresh frozen vegetables. Only takes 4 to 5 minutes to cook in the microwave.

Try to exercise each day.

Avoid sweets.

[Anonymous]

Don’t eat anything someone in 1925 wouldn’t have had available.