Healthy Eating: Boost More Than Just Your Self-Image with The Right Diet
Everyone has heard the saying that abs are made in the kitchen and not the gym; while it’s true that the right diet can help you lose weight, healthy eating habits are also instrumental in improving your overall health, enhancing your daily mood and even providing a better night’s sleep.
How do you get started with healthy eating? What are some of the best tips and tricks for staying on track with your habits? Let’s take a look at some of the best practices for incorporating healthy habits and staying on track with your healthy eating journey!
How to Achieve A Truly Healthy Diet
There’s plenty of misinformation circulating about the “best” diet at any given time, but it’s important to distinguish between a diet aimed at speeding up weight loss and one geared toward overall health. Weight loss is often a natural result of healthy eating, but it shouldn’t be the only goal. There are also plenty of unhealthy meal plans can cause quick (but unsustainable) weight loss.
That being said, these are some of the simplest tips for setting out on a healthy eating journey that can be maintained long-term.
Enjoy in Moderation with Portion Control
Though most people only need to eat between 2,000 and 2,500 calories to maintain their current weight, the average American consumes a whopping 3,600 calories (or more) every day. Food is fuel, and there’s no reason to over fuel by that much. The easiest way to cut your consumption without giving yourself a complex over counting calories is simply to try out portion control; just cut down on the amount you’re eating, and you can still enjoy your favorites in moderation.
Eat as Many Fresh Fruits and Vegetables as Possible
You already know that fruits and vegetables are touted as the healthiest ingredients on the market, but you may not know why. Not only are many of them packed with fiber despite being relatively low in calories, but they’re also incredibly nutrient-dense, so you can get all sorts of valuable vitamins just by enjoying fresh ingredients. You’ll feel fuller, and you’ll have a more well-rounded diet when you incorporate these items. Summer is an excellent time to start incorporating more fruits and vegetables, since it’s the start of Farmer’s Market season! Take advantage of the fresh fruits and veggies that are available.
Avoid Sugars and Processed Foods
Often, processed foods and added sugars tend to go hand in hand; processed foods are usually high in sugar, saturated fat, salt, or some combination of the three. In addition to having less dietary value than whole foods, processed foods come with a grim byproduct: studies have found that eating just 10% more processed food can lead to a 10% increase in risk for things like cardiovascular disease.
While we’re just scratching the surface of a healthy eating regimen, this is a great jumping-off point for those looking to boost their overall health with a better diet. Cut your portion sizes, incorporate more fresh ingredients into your meals, and avoid processed foods and added sugars as much as possible—you’ll find that you’re feeling better and practicing healthier habits!
