By Gabriel
Oyemike
Oyemike
Healthy
eating is not about strict nutritional philosophies, staying unrealistically
thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. It is about feeling great,
having more energy, stabilizing your mood, and keeping yourself healthy.
eating is not about strict nutritional philosophies, staying unrealistically
thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. It is about feeling great,
having more energy, stabilizing your mood, and keeping yourself healthy.
Here are some
12 tips to help you develop healthier eating habits.
12 tips to help you develop healthier eating habits.
1. Wait for signs
of true hunger.
of true hunger.
As much as you do not have to
wait to get really hungry before you eat, try to eat when you start feeling the
pangs of true hunger. Do not be in eating mood all the time as if your life
depends on all you can eat at a time.
wait to get really hungry before you eat, try to eat when you start feeling the
pangs of true hunger. Do not be in eating mood all the time as if your life
depends on all you can eat at a time.
2. Moderation is
key.
key.
The
question is how much food is moderate? That really depends on you and your overall
eating habits. The goal of healthy eating is to develop a diet that you can
maintain for life, not just a few weeks or months, or until you have hit your
ideal weight. So, try to think of moderation in terms of balance.
question is how much food is moderate? That really depends on you and your overall
eating habits. The goal of healthy eating is to develop a diet that you can
maintain for life, not just a few weeks or months, or until you have hit your
ideal weight. So, try to think of moderation in terms of balance.
3. Eat a healthy breakfast.
Try not to skip breakfast, as studies show
that doing so affects the metabolic balance of the body. Eating a low fat
breakfast that includes grain, fruit and high fibre cereal helps to maintain a
healthy weight.
that doing so affects the metabolic balance of the body. Eating a low fat
breakfast that includes grain, fruit and high fibre cereal helps to maintain a
healthy weight.
4. Drink
water
water
Not
cola. Not fruit juice. Not malt. Just plain still water! This seems to be an arduous task for most of
us, but the simple truth is that water helps improve the digestive function of
your body by as much as 20%. Drink, at least, a glass or two of water at every
meal.
cola. Not fruit juice. Not malt. Just plain still water! This seems to be an arduous task for most of
us, but the simple truth is that water helps improve the digestive function of
your body by as much as 20%. Drink, at least, a glass or two of water at every
meal.
5. Do not keep red zone food in the house
To
have a healthy eating culture, you need to keep out those unhealthy foods like
chocolate, full-fat ice cream, fizzy drinks or any other food that brings
unhealthy cravings to you. Why? Because when they are close by, it is easier to
indulge in them.
have a healthy eating culture, you need to keep out those unhealthy foods like
chocolate, full-fat ice cream, fizzy drinks or any other food that brings
unhealthy cravings to you. Why? Because when they are close by, it is easier to
indulge in them.
6.
Eating
heavy foods late at night or sleeping after eating.
Eating
heavy foods late at night or sleeping after eating.
Try
to avoid eating starchy or foods high in carbohydrates or fats late at night as
they are more difficult to digest and end up converting the indigestible
content to fat. Learn to eat slowly
and chew your food thoroughly; this might sound ‘not to smart’, but the truth
is, it aids digestion. Take time to savour your food.
to avoid eating starchy or foods high in carbohydrates or fats late at night as
they are more difficult to digest and end up converting the indigestible
content to fat. Learn to eat slowly
and chew your food thoroughly; this might sound ‘not to smart’, but the truth
is, it aids digestion. Take time to savour your food.
7. Snacking!
‘go fruits’
‘go fruits’
Its
fine to snack in between meals, but what we snack on is vital. “Go fruits”
instead of a high calorie, high fat snack. It is a much healthier option.
fine to snack in between meals, but what we snack on is vital. “Go fruits”
instead of a high calorie, high fat snack. It is a much healthier option.
8. Beef
up the plant protein intake
up the plant protein intake
Plant
Protein like beans, nuts, grains and sprouts are less complicated and speed up
your weight loss (if you are on such programme) by helping you build or
maintain lean muscle that also raises your fat-burning metabolism.
Protein like beans, nuts, grains and sprouts are less complicated and speed up
your weight loss (if you are on such programme) by helping you build or
maintain lean muscle that also raises your fat-burning metabolism.
9. Go
organic
organic
Try
cutting down on the canned foods you eat. Its healthier eating food (fish,
dairy, fruits and vegetables) from organic sources as this reduces chemical
exposure, which is harmful to the body’s overall health.
cutting down on the canned foods you eat. Its healthier eating food (fish,
dairy, fruits and vegetables) from organic sources as this reduces chemical
exposure, which is harmful to the body’s overall health.
10.
Avoid any excess of the 3S
Avoid any excess of the 3S
Excess
of Sugar, Sweets and Salt is not healthy for the body. Where possible replace
with healthier alternatives and if not, a reduction on their intake is advised.
of Sugar, Sweets and Salt is not healthy for the body. Where possible replace
with healthier alternatives and if not, a reduction on their intake is advised.
11.
Keep a positive attitude and focus on the
long term results.
Keep a positive attitude and focus on the
long term results.
Try
not to eat for today. Always think about what every portion could result to. Is
it healthy or unhealthy? It is wiser eating to stay fit than eating to go back
to the gym and burn the unneeded calories.
not to eat for today. Always think about what every portion could result to. Is
it healthy or unhealthy? It is wiser eating to stay fit than eating to go back
to the gym and burn the unneeded calories.
