1. Body composition
A well-structured nutrition plan should allow an individual to maintain a healthy physique within acceptable body fat levels (18-24% for men and 25-31% for women). This also means that it should support metabolic health through a number of means, such as promoting healthy hormone function, insulin sensitivity and physical recovery.

2. Healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure
Monitoring your cholesterol levels and blood pressure is crucial because having a healthy weight doesn’t discount the possibility of issues in these areas. While dietary cholesterol doesn’t have as much effect on blood cholesterol levels as we once thought, it can still be influenced by your overall dietary fat intake. On the other end, excessive sodium intake can lead to hyper-extension, of which one of the symptoms happens to be elevated blood pressure levels.

3. Healthy skin and hair
The condition of your skin and hair are good indicators of the quality of your nutrition. If you are getting enough nutrients, your skin should be firm, supple and of a rich hue rather than flaking and pale. Your hair should be smooth and strong rather than dry and brittle; unexplained hair loss is often a sign of malnutrition.

4. Sleep and energy levels
Getting the right amount of nutrients and calories will help you stay energised due to its ability to promote restful sleep. If you find yourself feeling sluggish, It could be a sign of either a distinct lack of calories and/or nutrients, driving your body into “starvation mode” which hampers its restorative capabilities.

5. Regular bowel movements
Your bowel movements reflect whether you are getting sufficient fibre from your diet, so if you find yourself being constipated, load up on more fruits and vegetables to get your digestive system going.

While these five indicators of a nutritious diet may give your a decent idea of how to go about achieving your nutrition goals, getting the help of a certified nutritionist can help improve your odds of success while avoiding the common pitfalls.