Healthy Eating Tip # 1

Everything is a choice. Start by choosing wisely when going grocery shopping. We all know, if it’s in the house, someone will be eating it. So why temp yourself with mindless snacking. When grocery shopping, start by gradually replacing one item at a time. For example, replace your typical sweet snack item with your favorite type of fruit.

 

Healthy Eating Tip # 2

Shop mainly the perimeter of the store. That’s where you will find the healthier options such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish. Avoid the inner aisles as much as possible as those aisle mainly contain processed foods high in salt, sugar and/or preservatives.

 

Healthy Eating Tip # 3

Start reading food label. The easiest way to start is by examining what’s already in your kitchen cabinets. Pay attention to serving sizes vs. actual the amount you would normally eat. Also focus more on particular food contents such as fat, sodium, or added sugars instead simply the overall number of calories.

 

Healthy Eating Tip # 4

Stay away from diet foods. Just because an item is labeled “low fat”, “low sugar”,“ low anything”, that does not make it healthy. Usually, when something is being reduced or taken out of a product, something else has to take its place to still satisfy taste. Example, low in fat usually leads to higher sugar or sodium content.

 

Healthy Eating Tip # 5

Know appropriate serving sizes. Your fist or your cupped hand is approximately equal to a measured cup. Depending on the food group, that may equate to more than one serving. Familiarize yourself with the number of servings needed daily per food group.

 

Healthy Eating Tip # 6

Give your brain and your taste buds a chance to relearn what truly healthy food tastes like. Start replaces a sweet treat with a piece of fruit and pay attention to the change in your taste over a period of time.

 

Healthy Eating Tip # 7

Know your alternatives. Examples, choose backed or broiled over fried or battered, choose white meat over dark meat, choose water over juice or soda, choose fat-free milk and low fat diary over full fat versions, replace your usual side dishes with veggies or fruit, etc.

 

Healthy Eating Tip # 8

Be colorful. Your plateful of food should not be only beige, brown or white in color. It should have a variety of colors such as green, red, yellow, and orange to ensure proper amounts of vitamins and minerals are consumed.

 

Healthy Eating Tip # 9

Don’t skip meals. Doing so slows down your metabolism and forces your body to hold on to body fat rather than burn it. Healthy snacking throughout the day is good for you and works wonders on your metabolism.

 

Healthy Eating Tip # 10

Stop eating about 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Doing so gives your body a chance to digest the remaining food rather than holding on to it overnight.

 

Healthy Eating Tip # 11

Most importantly, aim for improvements, not perfection! Healthy eating has to become in lifestyle and everyone’s lifestyle is different. You have to use a trial and error method to find what works best for you. Listen to your body to find your balance and you’ll reap the benefits.

 

What tip did you find the most helpful? Do you have other tips to share? Post your comments below.

 

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