Jared Koch

Clean Plates NYC • Creator and Coauthor • cleanplatesnyc.com

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Please share your philosophy about food and nutrition.

The basis of my philosophy is bio-individuality which means there is no perfect diet for every human being. Based on a variety of factors, from genetics to lifestyle to food sensitivities, each person's food needs are unique and they change over time. That being said, I do think there are some simple guidelines that everyone can follow and I have outlined them into Five Precepts in Clean Plates.

Simply put, we should all be moving towards eating more whole, real foods with a lot more vegetables (especially green and with a variety of other colors) as the foundation of our diet as well as fruit, nuts and seeds, and herbs and spices. These are the most nutrient dense foods available to us and they are generally under consumed. I also think that if you choose to consume animal foods, you should pick ones that are at a minimum free of antibiotics and hormones and preferably grass-fed and pasture- raised. And they should be consumed in moderation, meaning smaller portion sizes and, depending on your needs, less often.

Describe the work that you do.

I have a part-time practice where I coach people to improve their relationship with food and nutrition. My main focus is Clean Plates. It has started with Clean Plates NYC, a guide to the healthiest, tastiest restaurants in Manhattan for both vegetarians and carnivores and I have plans to expand it in a variety of ways and am very excited about it.

What do you see as the greatest barrier for women to live their healthiest life possible?

One of the things I noticed working with clients which was a major impetus for Clean Plates is that while it is important for people to be more aware, better educated and supported as they make changes towards a healthier lifestyle, the most important thing is to offer practical tools and resources to help them implement the changes. It's one thing to say I want to eat healthier, but it is entirely a different thing to actually do it. Ultimately, I am a big believer if the intention is strong enough there are no real barriers.

What tips can you share with busy professional women who struggle to find time to eat right?

Some of the options depend upon personal circumstances such as budget and access etc. but I think it is important to take some time to plan in advance so when you are in the midst of the chaos you have already worked it out.

Some simple things can be knowing and making a list of restaurants you can order from, or eat at those that have healthier options near where you work and/or live so you don't have to spend time thinking about it when you are busy. It is also important to make sure you are well stocked at home and even at work with good snack options and whatever you need for cooking.

Final take-home message and words of advice.

I always suggest starting with adding something to your diet rather than taking away. Simply add more green vegetables a few times per week and take it from there. In my experience, small positive changes over time lead to significant results. A lot of people focus on the ideal outcome and since it is overwhelming to make so many changes they end up doing nothing. I always focus on an area where my client has minimal resistance to making a change and have them commit to doing that one thing. Seems simple, but it works because it builds a positive momentum.

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