How do I Balance My Diet?
A few people ask me, “What do you eat on a daily basis?” or “Do you follow a specific diet?” So I thought it would be nice to share a real, honest look at a full day of eating.
I want to start by saying this clearly: I don’t count calories, and I don’t follow a strict diet. I’ve tried that before, and it’s just not something that works for me in the long term, especially today, since I travel frequently for work.
So, how do I manage eating healthy and getting results? I focus mainly on mindful eating. This means paying attention to what I eat, how hungry I actually am, and how food makes me feel during the day. I try to choose foods that nourish me, but I also allow myself to enjoy a few meals without guilt. For me, eating well is about balance, not rules and restrictions.
Mindful eating has helped me listen to my body, build a healthier relationship with food, and manage a balanced lifestyle. Some days I eat something lighter, other days I want something more comforting, and sometimes I do intermittent fasting. I’ve learned that each option works if you are conscious about your goals.
Today I’m sharing a full day of eating. This is just an example of one day of my eating routine, not a meal plan or a diet to follow through. These are my personal choices, what I felt like eating, and a few simple recipes I enjoy making when I am working from home. I hope this post feels relatable and maybe even gives you some inspiration for your own meals.
Breakfast: Kickstarting the Day
I like to keep breakfast simple and easy. In the morning, I’m not trying to spend a lot of time in the kitchen (sometimes I do), but I still want something that makes me feel satisfied and gives me the required nutrients after my morning workout.
Here’s an example of what I have for breakfast and how I make it:
Spicy Fried Eggs
Ingredients
- Eggs: 2 or 3 M/L
- Avocado: 1/4 sliced
- Bread: a slice
- Olive oil: 1 tsp
- Garam masala: 1/3 tsp
- Salt, black pepper, and lime to taste
- Dried red chili: optional
Instructions
- Preheat the olive oil in a frying pan. After a few seconds, add the Garam Masala (and the dried red chili for extra spice), mix it evenly with the olive oil until it becomes fragrant.
- Crack the 2 eggs (or 3) into the pan, and season them with salt and black pepper.
- Cut the avocado into tiny slices and add a few drops of lime on top.
- Remove the eggs from the pan when they reach your preferred point.
NOTE: I usually have a slice of toasted bread to eat with the eggs, and a cup of fresh-brewed black coffee (this is a non-negotiable).
Lunch: Nourishing Meals
This might be controversial, but for lunch I usually go for a lighter meal. No matter how hungry I am, I try to avoid eating big portions during lunchtime. I prefer meals that feel balanced and nourishing without being too heavy. Why? Because I want to avoid after-lunch crashes.
I try to avoid heavy carbs and any type of sugary foods at lunch, not just for health reasons, but also because I often drive to clients or have long meetings afterward. I’ve learned that lighter, well-balanced meals help me stay focused, energized, and comfortable, without that after-lunch crash.
Here’s an example of what I have for lunch and how I made it:
Black-Eyed Pea with Canned Tuna
It can’t get any simpler than this. A recipe that reminds me of my childhood summer days.
Ingredients
- Tuna Can: 2 cans (250gr)
- Black Eyed Pea: 1 can (410gr)
- Red Onion: 1/2 coarsely diced
- Eggs: 2 or 3 M/L
- Cherry Tomatoes: 10 cut in half
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Parsley to garnish
- Olive oil & vinegar
Instructions
- Boil the eggs in a pan with water (around 10 minutes). After that, put them into cold water.
- I usually put the black-eyed peas in a pan and heat them for a few minutes (do not let them boil).
- Chop the red onion, cherry tomatos and parsley, and add them to a large mixing bowl.
- After draining the tuna and the black-eyed peas, add them to the mixing bowl as well.
- Season with salt, pepper, olive oil, and vinegar, and mix it well.
- Dice the eggs and put them on top of the mixture, and it’s ready to eat.
NOTE: I usually don’t eat anything else until dinner time; however, if I am doing a workout session late afternoon, I usually have a greek yogurt with granola and fruit (kiwi, mango, blueberries, any fruit of your choice) 1h30-2h before the workout.
Dinner: Ending the Day
Dinner is usually the meal I’m the most conscious about. I like it to be fulfilling, nutrient-dense, and something that keeps me full for a long time. Since I usually go to bed late (around 12 am), I want my dinner to truly satisfy me, so I don’t grab any snacks before going to bed, and also to support my body through the rest of the evening.
I normally eat dinner around 8 pm, or closer to 9 pm if I do a late workout session. Because of that, I focus on meals that feel nourishing and fulfilling, not rushed or light. For me, dinner is about slowing down, refueling properly, and ending the day feeling satisfied and balanced.
Here’s an example of what I have for dinner and how I make it:
Turkey Taco Bowl
What can I say about this recipe? It’s simple to make, tasty, affordable, and perfect to reheat if you make it in advance.
Ingredients
- Ground Turkey: 500 g
- Green Pepper: 1/2
- Red Pepper: 1/2
- Red Onion: 1 medium-sized
- Salsa Sauce: 1 Cup (I make my own sauce, but you can use store-bought if you like)
- Water: 1 Cup
- Cumin: 1/2 tsp
- Paprika: 1/2 tsp
- Red Chilli: 1 chopped dried red chilli
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- Coriander to garnish
- Lime to taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat a few drops of olive oil in the pan, add the sliced green and red peppers, and the red onion as well. Season it with some salt and black pepper. Let it cook until they are slightly roasted and soft. Then, remove them from the pan and set aside.
- To the same pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil, and then add the ground turkey after a few seconds. Season the turkey with salt, cumin, paprika, and dried red chilli (if you want it to be spicy). Mix everything and start breaking down the meat in the process.
- As soon as the meat is cooked, add a cup of salsa sauce and a cup of water. Reduce the heat and let it cook until most of the liquid evaporates.
- Take it to a plate, add the sauteed vegetables, a few coriander leaves to garnish, a few drops of lime to taste, and it’s done.
NOTE: I usually eat it with simple long-grain steamed rice, but sometimes I also add some black beans for extra protein.