Dietitian Leanne Ward reveals the top five health lessons she learned

Health doesn’t have to be bland and you’re not eating enough vegetables are just two of five health lessons a popular dietitian learned after “eating healthy and regularly for a decade.”

Leanne Ward, from Brisbane, said when she was younger she used to constantly start and restart her health journey trying to be perfect.

But when she reached her early twenties, Leanne said she realized that real health was about doing things for the long term rather than for four or eight weeks.

“There are five things I’ve learned along my journey that have helped me eat healthy consistently,” Leanne posted on Instagram.

1. Health doesn’t have to be bland or boring

The first thing Leanne says she learned was that eating healthy doesn’t have to be bland or boring.

“You don’t have to feel dissatisfied with healthy options,” she said.

“Make healthier versions of your favorite takeout meals.”

For example, Leanne likes to make spaghetti bolognese with extra lentils and vegetables for added health.

She also cooks her own healthy san choy bow and “fake” curries and Thai food when she’s craving something unhealthy.

2. You don’t eat enough vegetables

The second lesson Leanne says she’s learned over the past decade is that no one eats enough vegetables.

Although we all know that we are supposed to eat five fruits and vegetables a day, in reality many of us eat much less.

“You might think you’re eating enough vegetables, but you really aren’t,” Leanne said. “Eat more and make them taste good.”

You can elevate things like broccoli by frying it with garlic and butter or liven up a boring salad with a delicious dressing.

Leanne is one of many health experts who believe you should get up to 30 different herbal sources in a week.

3. You must plan for success

One of the key things to being healthy is having a plan, Leanne said, because it’s very difficult to make healthy choices when there aren’t healthy options available.

“Make it a priority to plan ahead for your nutrition,” she said.

Leanne always likes to cook her meals when she’s on the go and regularly uses leftovers from her dinner for lunch the next day to avoid buying unhealthy cafe meals.

4. Consistency is king

Many of us feel guilty when we fall off the wagon with our diet and then give up all week, which only serves to shore up the bad diet.

But Leanne said it’s better to be consistent than perfect.

“It’s okay to overeat at a meal sometimes, but don’t let it turn into an entire day, a weekend, an entire week, or a month,” she said.

Enjoying your pizza and glass of wine without feeling guilty is the key to a truly healthy relationship with food.

5. You don’t need “healthy” everything you eat

Finally, Leanne said that not everything that goes on your lips has to be inherently healthy.

“Eat Ben & Jerry’s, Domino’s pizza or almond croissant, it’s not inflammatory in small amounts,” she said.

If you’re going to enjoy a treat, however, the dietitian recommends that you slow down, savor the item, and then “stop when you’re satisfied.”

“Always remember that balance mostly means whole foods and a little sprinkle of soul foods that you choose,” she says.

Previously, Leanne revealed the secret to losing fat while eating more, and it all comes down to what you can add rather than take away.

Leanne said your main meal should have a fiber-rich carb, lean protein, healthy fat, three or more colorful vegetables, and a small treat to finish.

Rather than extreme dieting, Leanne believes that eating a balanced diet will lead to sustainable, long-term fat loss and a healthy body.