Eating healthy seems to be all the rage as of late. Everywhere you look, you see calorie count menus, low-fat items, and new diets. But what does it really mean to eat healthy? There are a few easy things that you can incorporate into your daily routine to make the transition to eating healthier.
The key to healthy eating is all in the way you assemble your plate. The first step is portion control. The bigger the plate you buy, the more food you will consume. If you buy smaller plates, your portion intake will decrease. When it comes to the actual food, half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables. Switching your milk to skim or 1% is the healthiest option. Although the change can be tough, it is worth it in the long run. One fourth of your plate should be grains. Also, pushing to make at least half of these grains you are eating, whole grain. Ideally, the other fourth of your plate should be proteins. It is important to vary the type of protein you eat, as they all provide different nutrients to the body.
Other ways to live a healthier life include choosing drinks that have little or no added sugars. Watching salt intake is very important for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Things that are high in sodium content include TV dinners, canned food, and pickled food. Eating out always includes foods that are high in fat, sodium, and grease. Limiting restaurant food is important, and when you do go out to eat, choosing healthy options with grilled instead of fried foods and fresh sides are key.
Eating healthy does not mean that you cannot indulge in your favorite candy or decadent foods. The important thing to understand with eating is that it is all about moderation. You can eat the foods you like that may be somewhat unhealthy, but only eat a little and don’t over indulge. This also means that buying low-fat cookies does not mean you can eat the whole package because it has less fat. For some people, buying the full fat food and enjoying the taste of only a few cookies is more fulfilling. Another way to convert to a healthy way of life if by writing down everything you eat in a day. It is helpful to physically see everything you have eaten and decide what can be cut out.
All in all, making small changes to your everyday diet can and will directly impact your overall health. Making healthier choices leads to a healthier life!
