7 Easy Ways to Start Eating Healthy
You are what you eat. Hearing this phrase for the nth time challenged you to start eating healthy and watching your diet. But having been used to the convenience of fast foods makes it hard for you. Where should I start, you ask?
First things first, healthy eating and dieting simply means eating a wide variety of health foods to make sure you're getting a balanced diet. Learning about the basics of a what makes a healthy diet will help you make healthier choices. Here are 7 easy ways to help you start a healthy eating and dieting practice.
1. Never skip breakfast. You may think that skipping breakfast will help you lose weight. On the contrary, missing breakfast will just give you hunger attacks during the day which will let you eat more. Eating a bowl of wholegrain cereal with low fat milk, an orange juice and a banana for breakfast will provide your body the energy it needs to start the day right.
2. Eat starchy foods. Carbohydrates provide your body with the energy it needs and is a good source of a range of nutrients like fiber, calcium, iron and B vitamins. A healthy eating and dieting practice recommends wholegrain. Wholegrain foods digests slower making you feel full longer; whole grains also have more fiber and other nutrients than white or refined starchy foods.
3. Dare to eat more fruits and vegetables. Aim to eat at least 5 servings of different fruits and vegetables every day. Make a choice from fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or juiced. Fresh and organic are the best choice for healthy eating and dieting.
4. Cut down on your intake of saturated fats, sugar and salt. Always read the labels of the foods you eat. There are different terms for sugar like sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, hydrolyzed starch and invert sugar; while sodium and monosodium glutamate all mean salt. Bear in mind that if is listed on top then the food you are buying is high on that content or ingredient. Try to avoid or eat small amounts of these foods high in saturated fats - meat pies, sausages, meat with visible white fat; hard cheese; butter and lard; pastry; cakes and biscuits; creams; and coconut oil, coconut cream or palm oil.
5. Eat more fish. Set a goal of eating at least two portions of fish a week. Fish is a good source of protein; vitamins and minerals. Remember that canned and smoked fish can be high on salt so eat them in small amounts as well.
6. Be more active and try to aim your ideal weight based on your height. Being underweight or overweight could affect your health as this leads to health conditions like anemia, heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. Simply try to get active every day. Start walking at a good pace.
7. Drink plenty of water. One of the best practices on healthy eating and dieting is always keeping yourself hydrated.