When you think about being healthy and fit, you probably think of a strong core, lack of aches and pains, having lots of energy, and being able to perform the physical activities you enjoy – everything from playing with your kids or grandkids, to running a marathon. But do you ever think about the health of your brain?

Foods can offer near-zero nutritional value and still improve some aspects of overall health. Plus, referring to food as “junk” creates a “good food” vs. “bad food” dichotomy that does more harm than good. This article isn’t for the carrot-eaters. This article is for the majority, who love these foods but also often experience an internal conflict around them. If you love junk food, you CAN include it in your diet, without feeling guilty or worrying that it’ll ruin your health. There are three reasons why.

Some say you should count calories and meticulously measure every bite that goes into your mouth. Others encourage you to just estimate portions, or monitor macro nutrients. And then there are the various “listen to your body” approaches. All of these are forms of what’s known as “food monitoring.” With so much conflicting information out there, how do you know what really works?