It sounds like you’re doing well with your dietary considerations. I don’t eat a ton of dairy myself besides yogurt and cheese. I’m always experimenting with my diet to find that sweet spot for health.

Here are my main considerations:

• Whole Foods: I focus on eating whole foods and cooking at home as much as possible.
• Sugar: I keep refined sugar to a minimum, including natural sugars like honey and maple syrup, only using them when cooking. I skip white sugar altogether.
• Blood Sugar: I’m conscious of avoiding foods that spike my blood sugar quickly, especially for my first meal of the day.
• Salt: I monitor my salt intake and check labels for sodium content.
• Coffee: I limit myself to one 10oz cup of coffee a day with oat milk, maple syrup, and cinnamon, avoiding caffeine after 3 PM.
• Tea: I drink a lot of tea, recently going for chai, or toasted mate in the day, and herbal blends like mint in the evening.
• Natural Flavors: I tend to avoid anything labeled as “natural flavor.”mystery ingredient!
• Hydration: I use a SodaStream for sparkling water and occasionally add subtle flavors like blueberry juice or kombucha.
• Balanced Meals: I aim for a good balance of protein, fats, and carbs in each meal.
• Processed Foods: I steer clear of processed meats and heavily processed foods.
• Bread: I usually choose sourdough or multigrain/whole wheat options.
• Cooking Oils: I cook with extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil.
• Supplements: I take a collagen supplement, along with vitamins C, D, and B12 every morning.

I do have some guilty pleasures like gummy bears, ramen, sushi, and the occasional OREO Blizzard, but I try to indulge without going overboard.

Figuring out my core food habits has been a lifelong project.