Are you looking for motivation and resources to kick start a healthy diet? Well, here’s exactly what you need: a list of 11 super easy ways to instantly eat healthier. After reading this article, you’ll see how effortless it is to revamp your eating habits once and for all.
Keep it simple
We know that there’s tremendous pressure today to try out the latest food fads and trendy menus. And while some of the proclaimed superfoods are, in fact, worth incorporating into your meals, others are nothing more than hype. As a result, we encourage you to keep things relatively simple by following our suggestions below.
11 Super Easy Ways to Instantly Eat Healthier
1. Crack the code
Many of us opt to ignore the nutritional information printed on the food we buy. Admittedly, it can be challenging to make sense of the ingredients, numbers, and percentages listed on the labels. But if you take a minute to decipher the data, you’ll realize that the info is incredibly useful when you’re choosing what to add to your grocery cart.
2. Stay regular
Don’t leave your body guessing when it will get its next meal. Instead, keep to a schedule, eating meals and snacking regularly throughout the day. The benefit of this is that your metabolism stays revved up and you avoid energy slumps from lack of food or overeating.
When it comes to losing weight, experts disagree about whether it’s best to eat 3 decent-sized meals a day or 5 to 6 smaller ones. Whatever routine works best for you, the key is to stick to it.
3. Snack smart
If you’re ravenously hungry all of a sudden, it’s difficult to make smart food choices. However, if you prepare in advance, you can satisfy your hunger with healthy options right away. All it takes is a bit of planning ahead.
For example, stash servings of nuts, apple slices, or even bits of dark chocolate in your bag or in your desk drawer. At home, keep fresh fruit in sight on the counter and store cut up raw veggies in the fridge. With these good-for-you foods on hand, you’ll have plenty of smart options that are just too convenient to pass up.
4. Crunch on (and on)
What do roast chickpeas, frozen grapes, and trail mix have in common? They are all nutritious snacks with a satisfying crunch! These foods (plus almonds, popcorn, carrot sticks and more) require lots of chewing and, therefore, take a longer time to eat. By the time you finish your serving, you’ll feel full and be less inclined to reach for an additional (unhealthy) treat.
5. Bottoms up
Most of us have been told to drink “8 glasses of water a day,” but few of us know the reason why. Basically, hydration is necessary for your organs to properly function. The number of glasses you should drink depends on your height, weight, age, and medical history.
Another reason to drink up is that your body feels full after a glass (or two) of water and you’ll be less inclined to overeat. When you think you feel pangs of hunger, try having a glass of water first. You’ll buy yourself some time to consider a smart snack, or you may discover that you’re fully satisfied with just the beverage.
6. Size matters
If cutting down your meal portion is one of your goals, try swapping out your current dinner plates for smaller ones. That may sound strange, but trust us, there’s logic here.
First of all, since you’re dealing with a smaller surface area, you won’t be able to serve as much food as before; you’ll have no choice but to consume a smaller portion. What’s more, at a glance, a full, smaller-sized plate will appear “normal” and trick your mind into thinking that nothing at all has changed.
7. Keep the balance
Healthy eating does not have to include needless suffering! It’s all about moderation and smart choices. For example, if you’re a chocoholic, find yourself an organic, all-natural dark chocolate bar and enjoy little bits at a time. If you love sugary yogurts, instead pick up some flavored quark cheese at your supermarket. Allowing for reasonable amounts of treats will curb cravings and keep you from feeling deprived of your favorite culinary delights.
8. Make a smooth move
When smoothies came on the scene, they seemed like a quick and easy answer to an instant healthy lifestyle. However, unless you make your own, smoothies may contain more not-so-nutritious ingredients than you realize.
In particular, watch out for store-bought varieties made with fruit juice, which is loaded with sugar and calories. Instead, try the kinds blended with a protein rich milk alternative (like almond milk) and whole fruit (a great source of fiber and vitamins).
9. Be a top chef
The secret to thriving in the kitchen is two-fold: first prepare yourself, and then allow yourself to have fun! After you dig up a few choice recipes and shop for the ingredients, revel in making meals that you know will have a positive impact on your everyday health. Before you know it, you’ll be improvising with leftovers and creating your very own cuisine.
10. Skip the salt
There are reasons we crave salt. Our bodies need the sodium that’s in the salt to maintain a proper fluid balance, among other things. But too much salt may cause high blood pressure and lead to heart disease and other complications. The very best way to monitor your sodium intake is to read nutrition labels and spend more time in the kitchen preparing your own meals.
11. Gain control
If you’ve read all of the above and still aren’t inclined to shake up your diet, take a moment to figure out what’s holding you back. We know it can be tough to make a life change if you aren’t feeling on top of our game, so look closely at all aspects of your life (personal and professional) and see if something’s amiss. Feeling in control of your own situation, whatever it may be, is the first smart choice you’ll make that leads to a healthier diet and lifestyle.
Your life, your diet
One diet does not fit all because each of us has a different body type and a different everyday routine. So, instead of following the latest celebrity-endorsed meal plan or falling for the hottest seasonal diet, take stock of what will actually work for you.
Starting today, commit to making smart yet simple changes like the ones listed here and before you know it, you’ll be on your way to eating healthier and living at your very best.
Stay healthy!
