Have you ever purchased a diet plan just to find that it’s so complex that there’s no way you can follow it? Either it involves recipes that have 20 plus ingredients each or you have to calculate calories, fat, carbs, or protein to the point where you can just look at a food and spout off what it contains. Certainly, this works for some people, but if you’re someone who prefers a much more simple approach to healthy eating, then I have the meal plan for you.

For starters, every meal should contain a carb, a protein, and healthy fat. The reason for this is because the carb gives you instant energy, the protein is longer-term, and healthy fats are not only good for your heart, but they also help you keep hunger at bay so you’re not famished by the time the next meal arrives.

Ideally, you want to eat this combination of foods four times a day. This means that you should be consuming all three of these macronutrients roughly every 3-4 hours. This will help you keep your energy levels up while also ensuring that you give your body the nutrients it needs to run as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The main thing to keep in mind is portion size. Because you’re going to be eating often, you’ll want to keep your servings in check. One easy way to do this is to use your fists as measuring devices. Each carb and protein should be about that size.

As far as what types of foods you should consume, the best options are ones in their most natural state as the more processed they are, the worse they are for you. In other words, if it isn’t picked from a vine, pulled from the ground, or taken directly from an animal, then it’s probably not the best choice for your health…or your waistline.