posted by admin on Feb 20
People regularly blame advertising and marketing and the food industry for their unhealthy diets and excess weight. Yet, the truth is that you’ve got power over your health, and your nourishment is your choice and your choice alone. This fact on its own is empowering.
This brief article presents some helpful strategies for changing your diet plus your attitude towards life, so that you have the ability to eat healthily, promoting an overall well-balanced lifestyle.
Exactly what is healthy living?
Healthy living is a commitment to altering every aspect of your daily routine to the extent necessary to help and support your particular health goals. To put it differently, it’s a holistic, long term strategy, together with a positive mental attitude.
It is not about fad diets or taking care of just one problem area (like surplus weight) in isolation. It’s only when you begin to think about the bigger picture (e.g. a balanced diet, regular physical exercise, drinking habits, nutrient intake, food intolerances, weight, digestive health, metabolic rate etc) that make up your individual lifestyle that you can devise a productive healthy living programme for you.
Healthy living plan
Everyone’s health living programme is going to be a little different, subject to their own personal situation, like starting health level, health conditions, weight, flexibility etc and it’s usually wise to talk about any modifications to your diet or exercise levels with a qualified health practitioner before starting (especially if you are on medication or are pregnant). Yet, bearing that in mind, there are a few general healthy eating principles which can provide a little guidance in the early phases.
Breakfast
Start your morning off in the right way! A lot of us forget breakfast habitually, but to get your metabolism started (so you can burn more calories throughout the day) and to keep your blood glucose levels stable (and stop food cravings), it is very important never to miss meals. Subject, obviously, to any sensitivities you might have (e.g. to gluten or dairy), choose a healthy and balanced breakfast of, for instance, muesli, probiotic yoghurt and fresh organic fruit. Mix with seeds and nuts for an increased nutrient boost – linseeds, almonds and sunflower seeds are a fantastic blend. Avoid high-sugar cereals, which also are likely to contain sulfites – harmful additives which can prompt asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.
If you just do not have the time for breakfast each morning, do not let that stop you – no excuses! Have breakfast on the go by going for a top quality, nutrients fortified dairy free and gluten free meal replacement or protein shake.
Lunch and snacks
An effective way to enjoy wholesome meals and snacks speedily is to purchase ingredients that are ready to eat after opening or with little preparation. There is really no excuse not to eat well when there are many options for fast and healthy eating. Some examples are low-fat deli meats, whole grain breads, fresh salads, fruit, nuts and seeds among other things. Numerous superfoods and superfruits now come freeze-dried, so you can stick them in your desk drawer at work and pick at them as a healthy snack throughout the day. For instance, goji berries (often referred to as wolfberries). These little berries are rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, such as essential and trace minerals, amino acids, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids and a number of phenols associated with antioxidant activity. What else could you ask for from a snack?!
Evening meal
If you have followed the above guidelines, when you reach the evening meal you are very unlikely to be famished, which in turn suggests that you are unlikely to binge or indulge in unhealthy snacks.
An excellent nutrition tip is to be more conscious of portion size. A balanced diet is never about starving yourself; you should always be full, because you are giving your body exactly what it needs. However, if you have a tendency to overeat, try to eat little and often. Two other helpful suggestions are:
- up your water intake – frequently people who do not drink a sufficient amount of water mistake thirst for hunger. By drinking more and keeping yourself hydrated, it can help you to feel fuller 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 high quality protein drink or superfoods blend can supply you with additional vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
Benefits of healthy living
Implementing all encompassing approach to healthy living, instead of searching for a fast solution for issues such as obesity and digestive complaints, is helpful for numerous reasons. For example, not only will it more than likely address your specific health goals, it will also benefit your general health and well-being.
A healthy body, receiving the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, is much more likely to have a robust immune system. This subsequently makes it less of a challenge to fight common ailments and other conditions, such as colds and flu, diarrhea, constipation – and without having to turn to antibiotics.
Everyone’s objective is to have as long and happy a life as possible. Furnished with the facts about your health and nutrition, and with an idea of how different foods, drinks and chemicals can affect your body, you’ll be better placed to achieve that aim.
Healthy living guide
Now that you’ve acquired some understanding of eating healthily, go ahead and 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!
