A healthy lifestyle and good eating habits go hand in hand, but where do you start? Whether you are a fantastic home cook or prefer to go out, it is essential to remember that what goes into your body affects how you feel. It may seem challenging, but with these simple tips, you will be on track to eating the right foods and feeling terrific.
Consume Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables
An essential part of your diet starts with balancing fruits and vegetables. Getting the proper amount each day can be more manageable than you may think. Try chopping up a banana over your breakfast cereal, or replace your mid-morning snack with fresh fruit. While shopping in the grocery store, take extra time in the produce section to discover foods to add to your regular meals. For instance, if you love macaroni and cheese, pick up some broccoli to add to the dish.
Eat Breakfast
A healthy breakfast high in fiber and low in sugar, salt and fat forms a part of your balanced diet and is necessary to get your body the nutrients you need to stay healthy. Include protein, fiber-packed carbohydrates and healthy fats to give your body the momentum it needs. Watch for added sugar in cereals and incorporate produce like fresh greens to give you a punch of fiber. Stay away from processed foods and consider some lean protein. Maintain your diet by adding a fiber supplement to support your healthy choices.
Include High Fiber Carbohydrates
A third of your diet should include starchy carbohydrates. Potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and cereal are all great examples. Choose varieties that are higher in fiber, like brown rice, whole wheat pasta and skin-on potatoes. Choices like these contain more fiber than white or refined carbohydrates. Try to include one with each meal, and be mindful of the number of fats you use when cooking.
Add More Fish
Fish is an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients, and eating at least two portions a week is essential to maintaining your healthy diet. Try to include at least one amount of oily fish in your diet, like salmon or trout. Oily fish are high in omega-3 fats and are crucial to supporting heart health. Whether you choose fresh, frozen or canned, be aware that some canned and smoked fish can be high in salt.
Reduce Salt Intake
Even if you are not a salt lover, you may be unaware that you are consuming more than you need. A significant amount of salt that goes into your body is already in the food you purchase. When shopping for groceries, check the labels on soups, bread, sauces and breakfast cereals. Paying attention to food labels will help you cut down on your intake. If you find a product with more than 1.5g of salt per 100g, it is high in salt, and you can easily find another alternative.
Limit Fat and Sugar
Including some fat in your diet is essential, but consider the type of fat you eat. The two types of fat are saturated and unsaturated. Try to avoid saturated fat that you may find in foods like fatty meats, butter, cakes and cheeses. Choose healthy foods with less saturated fats like avocados, oily fish, olive oil, reduced fat spread instead of butter and lean cuts of meat. For sugar, try to limit your intake to natural sugars that you find in fresh fruit rather than free sugars in sodas, cakes and sweets.
It is easy to maintain healthy eating habits if you choose food that keeps you satisfied and makes you feel good. It is okay to fall into old habits from time to time, but having a clear strategy and keeping healthy foods at home will help you to stay on track. Stay mindful of what you are eating, whether at home or on the go, and remember the reasons for your change to keep you motivated. You will be on your way to living a healthy and happy lifestyle.
