5 Tips to healthy eating

With more and more people eating outside the home, caterers and media are becoming strongly powerful in their position to influence the health of their customers both positively and negatively.

 

Source: Fanpop.com

There is no doubt that making the right choices of food and drinks combined with regular exercise regardless of whatever appetizing lies advertisements pose at us is paramount to leading a healthy lifestyle and can protect against various diseases such as coronary heart diseases and cancer in the long run. That's without mentioning the immediate benefits and really positive results that come with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

But how can one maintain a healthy lifestyle when completely oblivious to the principles and vital behaviors that lead to such lifestyle?

The picture painted by the media can be quite confusing and often misleading: the hot skinny bikini babe that magically survives on two omelets a day. However, at the end of the day what matters is what choices YOU make. 

Scientist are somewhat unanimous on what makes for a healthy style of eating and overall health, unfortunately, many myths and misconceptions still prevail. 

Contrary to popular belief eating healthy isn't about taking chips off the menu or sticking to salads but simply healthy eating of filling foods such as whole grains, eating fruits and vegetables and cutting down on high-fat and sugary foods. Some of the greatest dishes and most exciting cuisines in the world are based on these principles (e.g. beans and dodo, paella, biryani, Chinese vegetable stir fried with noodles, sushi and rice, couscous and cannelloni stuffed with ricotta and spinach)

In other words! Forget about:

-Cutting down on food and going hungry

-Making instantaneous change

-Depriving yourself treats you crave.

-Not enjoying food you love 

-Sticking to just salads

-Going on a 'special' diet and spending more money on such diets

Focus on these 5 Tips for Healthy eating.

#1 Eat starchy foods (*not applicable for diabetic, hypertensive and overweight people)

A good portion (about one-third) of ones meal should contain starchy foods such as wheat bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes. The body breaks down the starch into simple sugar to supply the body needed energy to keep you active.

#2 Eat more fruits and vegetables

Fruits do not just taste good, they are packed with vitamins and anti-oxidants that offer tons of benefits! Vegetables are some of the healthiest food we can eat, they are packed with minerals and vitamins that can aid in making us feel and look great.

#3 Get to know more about food

Getting to know more about the kind of food we take in is highly important to our overall health. Lots of everyday food we take are packed with unhealthy calories. Find out what is healthy and alter your grocery list.

#4 Make gradual changes

We often get super excited when we come across ads that tell us its possible to get that "perfect" body. In our excitement we set unrealistic goals: losing one-quarter of a ton in one week with whatever kind of exercise you find out there is bound to fail. This will result in feelings of despondency and failure. Make gradual realistic changes

#5 Drink enough water
 This step is a bit self explanatory. The most recent recommendation is that one should drink when thirsty. However, we do not have to wait for our bodies to give us queues that it needs water! Drink 1-2 liters a day and stay hydrated. 

I know I said 5, but adding more tips is bound to do good rather than harm. :-D

• Consume the right amount of calories for your energy needs
• Eat a healthy breakfast daily
• Exercise regularly
• Eat fish regularly. 

Immediate benefits on healthy eating and following the preceding tips include.

• Better control of your weight 
• Improved self esteem
• Feeling better and fitter with more energy
• Enjoying a wide variety of foods
• Not buying expensive 'diet' products

Keep in mind that small positive changes made today will have long and lasting effects with enriching benefits.



*Recent studies over the past 10 years show that starchy foods need be consumed in moderation by diabetic, hypertensive and overweight people. This because the body converts the complex sugars of the starchy foods to simple sugars.