Eating healthy is about more than just losing weight. Good nutrition does a lot for your overall health and sticking to a healthy diet does not have to be difficult. Here are some helpful tips that might be able to help you to eat a little healthier and plan your meals accordingly.
Baking a cake? Put down that sugar! There are so many other options that you can use that will make your cake just as tasty. You can substitute half of the necessary sugar with applesauce or carrot juice. This also adds the extra benefit of getting extra fruit and vegetables in your diet. If the cake doesn’t taste right to your liking the first time, experiment with adding other sweet fruits you enjoy or adjust the sugar to fruit ratio to your liking.
When it comes to nutrition, we all seem to have trouble doing it properly. Our problem areas vary though and sometimes, we need help identifying these problems. Look at your eating habits and decide which one you pick. Is it the salad or the cheeseburger? The soda or bottled water? The healthy choices are obvious and if you don’t pick them as often as you should, that may be your problem.
To choose healthier aliments, you should know what you are buying and eating. A lot of products are advertised as ‘diet’ or as ‘light’. This does not necessarily makes them healthier. They usually contain more chemicals to make up for the missing ingredients, or do not contain enough calories to give you the energy you need.
There are two thoughts regarding whether eating meat is ethical. One sees it as killing a fellow creature and morally wrong. Another says that the farm animals that produce our meat only have life because they provide food for us and that when we eat meat with gratitude we affirm these animals’ lives.
Nightshades (eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers) have pros and cons nutritionally. Consider them carefully. They may not agree with your digestion. On the other hand, they may add real food value to your diet. The tomato has recently been cited as a great source of lycopene, which may help prevent cancer. Bell peppers contain vitamin C.
Cholesterol is one of the most damaging things that you can put into your body. Try to eliminate cholesterol from your diet, not only to increase your heart flow but also to improve your mood during the course of the day. Lowering cholesterol reduces toxins in your body, which can play a big role in weight loss.
One of the easiest ways to make sure that you that you are getting only the most nutritious foods and beverages is to ensure that these healthy items are always on hand. Protein bars can easily be stashed in a purse, glove box, or desk drawer. If tasty and healthy snacks are within your grasp, chances are you will be more likely to reach for these treats rather than leaving your office for a salty snack from the vending machines or through the drive-thru of a fast food restaurant.
Instead of reaching for a sugary or salty preservative-laden snack, try distracting yourself by finding more productive things to do with your hands and mouth. Call a friend, sing along with your radio, or pick up the latest page-turner from the local library. Chances are good that you will find that you were not even hungry to begin with.
Now you see that eating healthy does not have to be hard. Eating healthy foods has many rewards. Not only will it help you stay in shape, but it can also help you discover brand new food combinations that you didn’t know were out there. So, ditch the fast food and try out some healthier options. It’s a decision you will not soon regret.
