5 Reasons To Eat Like It Is The 1950s Again (2024)

Are you having trouble figuring out what to eat to get the nutrients your body needs? Are you wondering if you should be “eating clean” or skipping dairy or carbs? Or maybe you’ve considered prioritizinghigh protein and low-fat foods? Of course, there’s also the keto diet, the Mediterranean diet and Paleo diet – not to mention intermittent fasting, plant-based diets and more.

With all the diet and nutrition guidelines available today, it’s understandable if you’re feeling confused about what to eat or what foods to seek out if you’re on a path toward healthy living or weight loss.

Ready to get back to the basics when choosing a nutrition and weight loss plan? Here are five tips to get you started.

1. Skip The Drive-Through And Prepare Your Food At Home

In the 1950s, people ate food made at home. Fast foods, pizza delivery and take out were not the norm until about the mid-1980s – a dining shift that caused American obesity rates to begin rising.

Earlier generations typically brought a brown bag lunch – a sandwich, a piece of fruit and another small side – when they went to work or school. Food was prepared with simple ingredients at home, and portions were smaller. It was a great way to control calories.

Families can use this model as motivation to make preparing breakfasts, lunches and dinners at home each week a priority. When you’ve packed a nutritious lunch for work or know you have ingredients to make an easy and nutritious dinner at home, you’ll avoid the temptation of stopping by a fast-food restaurant for a 500-calorie value meal with a 200-calorie soda.

2. Say No To Super-Sizing

Take a look at portion sizes for a hamburger, fries and soda from the 1950s versus today’s standards. Most fast-food portions have more than doubled compared to what they were just a generation ago. But you don’t have to get caught up in the modern trend of “super-sizing.”

If you must eat out at a fast-food restaurant, think smaller portions. It’s a quick, easy way to cut out unwanted calories and promote losing weight. Order a kids meal or a small hamburger, rather than the largest burger option. Choose water instead of soda. These small steps will make a big difference in your overall calorie intake over time and set you up for success in building a healthier eating plan.

3. Eat Treats In Moderation

Ice cream, chips, sodas and pizza were once looked upon as treats. A 1950s family would have considered these sorts of foods and beverages “every now and then” indulgences. Today’s families tend to keep treats like these on hand, making it easy to overdo it when it comes to eating sweets and high-calorie foods. Take a note from your grandmother and only stock sodas, ice cream and other treats in the home occasionally – perhaps for special occasions only.

Also, to avoid the urge to grab unhealthy snacks while you’re on the go, keep loose change and debit cards at home to minimize the temptation to swing through a drive-through or make impulse purchases at vending machines and gas stations.

4. Buy Real Foods

When it comes time to head to the grocery, keep your shopping list simple. Make it a priority to buy fruits andvegetables– either from the produce section, the frozen aisles or even the canned section.

Also, seek out lean protein sources, including fresh whole meats, poultry and fish from the butcher counter, plus beans, nuts and seeds. Look for 100% whole grains such as bread, rice and pasta. Explore new ways to introduce low-carb foods and potassium-rich foods into your diet. Avoid items that are highly processed and full of saturated fats, salts and sugar.

Keep a food log of the week and see what kind of foods you are typically eating. Are most of your foods frozen or instant? Are they high in sodium (250mg or higher)? Do they have more than 5 grams of added sugar? Do they contain hydrogenated oils? If you’re noticing a trend toward high-salt, high-fat or high-sugar foods, stop and reset. Make a new shopping list that focuses on healthy foods and fresh, simple ingredients instead.

5. Eat Dinner As A Family

With a TV now in almost every room of the house – not to mention the prevalence of smartphones and tablets galore – more modern families eat meals in front of screens, often in separate rooms.

Try to break this habit. Take a cue from the 1950s and have a regularly scheduled mealtime where everyone reports to the table together. Research shows that kids who regularly eat dinner with their families have higher grades in school and a much lower risk of developing drug and alcohol habits.

Make an effort to sit down as a family for most nights of the week, even if it’s a super quick meal. You might be amazed at what conversations arise from the dinner table.

Have questions about your family’s nutrition or the best nutrition for weight loss or overall health? Make an appointment to talk with a Franciscan Health dietitian or nutritionist today.