Why you need a nutritional nest egg. It just may hold your health together

I was recently watching the 1980s comedy Lost in America.

This engaging Albert Brooks’ film has many themes, but a central one is about the nest egg. In the movie, the nest egg refers to a stockpile of cash that protects against adversity while allowing Brooks and his wife to drive across America. I’m proposing another type of nest egg, one that will protect you from going crazy with every new diet, confusing research and food fad.

Why not build a nutritional nest egg? The main structure is built on a daily intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein. The nutritional nest egg is held together with a sprinkle of good fats and calcium-rich foods.

This is a strong protective nest egg. If there is an occasional sugar storm raining down, the nutritional nest egg would hold your health together. It can handle an indulgent Memorial Day barbecue and a cake and ice cream birthday because the nest egg is built on a foundation of nutritious food.

If your head is spinning after listening to a variety of influencers preaching the best diet for you, don’t worry if you have a well-maintained nutritional nest egg.

As an aside, look up the credentials of the influencer. Is the influencer making money on products they are supporting? When the base is strong and well maintained, the nutritional nest egg is not fragile.

Let’s say you are intrigued and want to try a lower carbohydrate intake. If you take away the whole grains from the nest egg, then to keep it strong, the other building blocks of the nest egg need to be increased. This could be more vegetables and more lean protein.

If one chooses to eliminate dairy foods, the nutritional nest egg can be maintained with calcium rich foods such as dark greens, canned salmon or sardines, soy products, milk alternatives and white beans.

Or if you see research about the benefits of blueberries, almonds or macha, add to the nest egg. It all leads to strength and better health.

Sheah Rarback MS, is a dietitian nutritionist in private practice in Miami.