What is a Benchmark?
A benchmark is a standard by which something can be measured or judged. We all have benchmarks when it comes to living our lives, these benchmarks might include a standard for what defines a clean household, or the criteria required for having a fun time on a vacation. In fact, you have probably created these benchmarks based on influences you had growing up. For this blog, I want to focus on your possible benchmarks when it comes to food and get you to consider “what are your benchmarks?”.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Do you ask yourself one or more of the following questions?
- Does the food I eat taste good?
- Is the food I’m eating nutritious for me and my family?
- Where did the various items of food come from or originate?
In addition to the questions above, what sort of justifications do you make (if any) to continue to consume the foods you choose? Good or bad? For example, do your answers look like the following:
- I eat fast food several times a week because the kids love it, and it’s fast. I know it’s not nutritious, but it’s easy.
- I meal prep for myself and my family, I buy the best food I can possibly afford, and I make sure to use seasonings and/or sauces that complement the foods I prepare.
What does the General Public Do?
The reality is most people sit somewhere in the middle of answers A and B. In fact, did you know that 95% of the population eats food that is at the Industrial Food level of the What are you Buying pyramid? Whether it’s whole foods like an avocado or apple, to a processed waffle or a hamburger…it’s all industrial food. Up to 4% of the population seek out items with the organic label. Like the 95% buying Industrial food, organic food can range from whole foods to processed foods. For example, you can buy organic Doritos!
What about the remaining 1%? What are they doing or buying? Well, these people strive to answer the 3 questions I posed at the start of the blog. They strive to answer these questions for every meal of every day. They have established benchmarks for what tastes good, what qualifies as nutritious food and have identified safe sources for where they buy their food.
So, What Are Your Benchmarks?
Striving to answer these questions and progressing through the process is why I tell people ‘clean eating’ is a journey. It’s not about following a diet lane. It’s not about being gluten-free or lactose intolerant. You’re not going to get it all right all the time. You’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to ‘go back’ to familiar benchmarks. However, the progression and the dedication is the journey.
Want to learn more? Take my course called Get Food Smart, Get Real. I empower you with knowledge, so you progress on your journey with confidence. It’s not about right or wrong, it’s about doing better every day. I want to help you say no to dieting forever! Will you take my help?
To see all our videos on the clean eating lifestyle, CLICK HERE to visit our YouTube channel and make sure to subscribe.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a thing.
