Most everyone knows that good eating habits are essential to
good health and well being and while many people seem to ignore this fact, lots
of people really do try to eat properly but part of the problem and the main
reason a lot of people just don’t seem to be able to maintain good eating
habits is both misinformation as well as lack of information.
With the vast variety of foods out there and the vast amount
of advertising done for many of these foods with oftentimes misleading
statements regarding their dietary values it would stand to reason that it is
so easy to be guided off track and right into bad food choice territory. Add to
the equation the vast amount of diet plans for weight loss as well as the
amount of trendy new cookbooks extolling the virtues of the latest fad
revolutionary healthy foods to eat and you have a vast array of contradicting
information coming at you from all sides!
So what should you do to develop good eating habits? Well,
here are some guidelines to follow to get you well on your way to making
better, more health minded food choices.
1) PREPARE
YOURSELF FOR SUCCESS
In order to begin you need to prepare yourself mentally.
Plan in advance what you will be eating during the week, write it out for
yourself, stock up on those foods and make it happen!
2) PROTEIN
IS VITAL
Make sure you eat protein in some form at every meal,
including breakfast.
3) EAT LESS
REFINED BREADS AND STARCHES
Cut back on the amount of bread and pasta you consume. Eat
your pasta as your mid-day meal and if you do eat pasta or bread it comes from
whole grains.
4) LIMIT
YOUR DAIRY CONSUMPTION
Drink non-fat milk, eat low fat or fat free cheese and low
fat yogurt but check the yogurt, some low fat yogurt has a very high sugar
content!
5) DON’T
OVERDO THE FRUIT
No more than 2 a day and use just the good fiber kinds.
Apples, pears, plums, and berries are best. Avoid fruit juices, they’re loaded
with sugar!
6) EAT NUTS
Just stay in moderation here. A quarter cup of pistachios,
almonds or cashews are not only tasty, but a good source of protein.
7) REDUCE
THE PORTIONS
When at home, use smaller plates. If you go out, order the
smaller size or if one size fits all, get a doggie bag in advance and put half
your meal in it before you start to eat. You will fell better and have a good
meal to eat again later.
DRINK LOTS OF WATER
Water has great dietary and overall health benefits. Many
hunger pangs are due to lack of water. Drinking plenty of water throughout the
day will keep you hydrated and will reduce food cravings.
9) GO
MEATLESS FOR A MEAL A DAY
Try eating one meal per day with no meat. For example, have
a peanut butter and jelly sandwich rather than a hamburger. You reduce bad fat
and increase fiber and protein.
10) NEVER SKIP
BREAKFAST
A proper breakfast gets your metabolism going. Use cereals
with at least 5 grams of fiber and no more than 8 grams of sugar and use
non-fat milk.
11) EAT MORE
SEAFOOD
Eat water packed tuna and salmon; they are loaded with
omega-3 fatty acids that help protect the heart. You should have these
seafood’s 2-3 times per week.
12) BRING YOUR
OWN LUNCH
Rather than eating lunch out all the time, make your lunch
and only eat out for lunch once a week. You’ll save money and know your eating
good things like whole grain bread, lean chicken or ham and fruit or veggies.
The fact is if you use these simple guidelines as a means to
put together a plan of good eating habits you will be well on your way to
developing them with sound nutrition and you will be paving the way for a life
long journey of better health.
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