Purchasers generally blame marketing and advertising and the food industry for their unhealthy eating habits and weight. All the same, the truth is that you’ve got power over your health, and your food intake is your choice and your choice alone. This affirmation on its own is empowering.
This short article gives a few helpful suggestions for shaking up what you eat and also your attitude towards life, in order that you can easily eat healthily, promoting an overall well-balanced lifestyle.
Exactly what is healthy living?
Healthy living is a commitment to fine-tuning every facet of your lifestyle to the point necessary to achieve your particular health pursuits. Put simply, it’s a holistic, long term technique, coupled with a positive mental attitude.
It is really not about fad diets or taking care of a particular problem area (such as weight) in isolation. It is only when you start to look at the bigger picture (e.g. a balanced diet, regular physical activity, drinking habits, nutrient intake, food allergies, weight, digestive system health, metabolic rate etc) that define your personal lifestyle that you can sort out a successful healthy living plan for you.
Healthy living plan
Everyone’s health living programme is a little different, determined by their own individual situation, including starting health level, health conditions, weight, mobility etc and it’s always advisable to talk about any modifications to your diet or exercise levels with a qualified health practitioner prior to starting (especially if you are on medication or are pregnant). Yet, with that in mind, there are a few broad healthy eating principles which can provide some guidance in the preliminary phases.
Breakfast
Start your morning off right! Too many of us skip breakfast routinely, but to get your metabolism started (so you are able to use up more calories throughout the day) and to keep your blood sugar levels stable (and prevent cravings), it is vital not to miss meals. Subject, of course, to any allergies or intolerances you may have (for example to gluten or dairy products), select a healthy and balanced breakfast of, for instance, muesli, probiotic yoghurt and fresh organic fruit. Sprinkle with seeds and nuts for an added nutrient boost – linseeds, almonds and sunflower seeds are a fantastic combo. Avoid high-sugar cereals, which also have a tendency to contain sulfites – harmful additives that can stimulate asthma attacks in sensitive people.
For those who just do not have the time for breakfast each and every morning, don’t allow that to hold you back – no excuses! Have breakfast on the go by going for a high quality, nutrients fortified dairy free and gluten free meal replacement or protein shake.
Lunch and snacks
A terrific way to prepare nourishing meals and snacks quickly is to buy foods that are ready to consume directly on opening or with minimal preparation. There is really no excuse not to eat well when there are plenty of alternatives for fast and healthy eating. A few examples are low-fat deli meats, whole grain breads, fresh salads, fruit, nuts and seeds to name a few. Several superfoods and superfruits now come freeze-dried, so you can put them in your drawer at work nibble on them as a healthy snack food throughout the day. For instance, goji berries (often referred to as wolfberries). These little berries are rich in nourishing substances, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, such as essential and trace minerals, amino acids, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids and numerous phenols related to antioxidant activity. What more could you demand from a snack?!
Supper
If you’ve adhered to the above guidelines, when you reach the evening meal you are very unlikely to be starving, which in turn suggests that you will be less likely to binge or indulge in unhealthy snacks.
A terrific nutrition tip is to be more mindful of portion size. A balanced diet is not about starving yourself; you should always feel full, as you are giving your body precisely what it requires. Nevertheless, if you have a tendency to eat too much, try to eat little and often. A couple of other helpful tips are:
- increase your intake of water – commonly people who do not drink enough water mistake thirst for hunger. By drinking more and staying hydrated, it can help you to feel satisfied for longer;
- drink a protein shake or superfood powder – not only can these help to make you feel full when your meal was simply not enough, a quality protein drink or superfoods blend can provide you with additional vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
Benefits of healthy living
Embracing a holistic approach to healthy living, rather than looking for a magic pill for issues such as obesity and digestive complaints, is useful for many reasons. For example, not only will it most likely deal with your specific health goals, it will also support your general health and well-being.
A healthy body, getting the full scope of nutrients, is far more likely to have a sound immune system. This in turn makes it less of a challenge to fight common health problems and other conditions, such as colds and flu, diarrhoea, constipation – and without having to depend on medicine.
Most people’s aim is to have as long and happy a life as they possibly can. Armed with the facts about your health and nutrition, and with an idea of how different foods, drinks and chemicals can affect your body, you will be better placed to achieve that aim.
Healthy living guide
Having acquired some understanding of eating healthily, take the first step to the new you – click here for a free healthy living plan and suggestions on dietary supplements that can help you to achieve your health goals!