Guest blog: Why I count colours and not calories by Hils Pitzey

Why I count colours and not calories

With the media making it it's mission to dictate the “perfect body” and social platforms encouraging us to feel inadequate about almost every aspect of our normal every day lives, it’s not hard to appreciate the battle we are up against. I find it devastating the way we are being conditioned to limit ourselves and as a fully fledged foodie the encouragement of unhealthy eating patterns leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Before we start I hold my hands up I’m not a nutritionist, I will always love chicken nuggets and my go to comfort food on a lazy Saturday night will never not be a chicken kebab. But I love cooking, I could talk food 24/7 and I'm living proof of the power eating well brings.

This being the premise that started my Instagram page @Hils_eatingtherainbow (Homemade healthy meals (@hils_eatingtherainbow) • Instagram photos and videos ) . As a live in sole carer to my mum, who racks up numerous conditions and ailments I've learned it’s imperative to pack in the goodness and make mealtimes the delicious events they deserve to be. And so here are two statements that help me do just that:

"Life is not meant to be beige"

A motto I live by and a motto I wish the “slimming industry” would encourage too. I see pages and pages of people posting their ‘slimming friendly meal times’ proudly declaring their plate of beige is “only *** calories”. Posts which are greeted with comments of “good work”, “looks great” and “amazing”….

Is it though? Is that plate of beige, barely there nutrition something to be 'whooping' and 'cheering' about? Yes, it may be low in calories but where’s the goodness? If having the perfect body is the goal surely it’s just as important for the inside to be as good as the outside? At what point did losing weight become more important than being healthy? And more so, why should you have to choose when you can actually do both!

And this is where my second mantra comes in......

"Count colours not calories"

It’s a beautiful way to live, seeing how many colours you can get on your plate. Not only does this instantly make everything more appealing on the eye, but you’re getting a flavoursome, filling and goodness filled mealtime with every single bite. With every colour representing different vitamins and minerals, by eating the rainbow you’re getting the nutrients your body actually needs to look and feel it’s best.

It doesn’t mean you have to miss out and it doesn’t have to be difficult, chuck in a pack of Mediterranean veggies with your pasta, jazz up your salads with carrot, tomatoes and beetroot or make your own wrap loaded pizzas; the nutritional elements aren’t calorie loaded anyway but the options and benefits are endless.

In a world that’s got us all feeling we’re too much of this and not enough of that, be a rebel, take a huge colourful bite out of life every day. It’s one thing to look good, but to actually feel good too, that’s the real goal in life.

Hils Pitzey is both passionate and inspiring. Her love for food and nutrition isn't just a hobby, it's a reflection of how deeply she cares about others and their well-being. She shares wonderful recipes with creativity, enthusiasm and plenty of colour. Make your life healthier, happier and a whole lot tastier by following her on Instagram, Homemade healthy meals (@hils_eatingtherainbow) • Instagram photos and videos