In today’s world Healthy eating is something we all aim for, for our good health and longevity. For a good and quality life Healthy eating keeps us protected from many diseases, increases our fitness levels keeping us agile as far as possible during our entire life span. Most of us are already following healthy eating patterns but for many of us it’s still a mystery and a big question in our minds as to the starting point. “Where to start?” keeps alluding us.
Who doesn’t like chocolate dipped doughnuts, big scoops of ice cream or garlic fries and so on…. But there has to be a starting point for healthy eating and an ending point to the consumption of the calorie laden food. With my experience healthy eating starts from the weighing scale. Unless you get the shock of your life by weighing yourself, nothing might motivate you. If that’s not enough to motivate you try a skinny dress on yourself. In short you need to face the reality of yourself and acknowledge it..
Next step is to revamp your kitchen stock. First clean up all the junk and easy to eat pre – packaged food. When you are in the grocery store fill your cart with fresh fruits and veggies and some healthy grains. You don’t have to torture yourself to start eating all types of veggies on the first day because we are looking for a long term lifestyle change. So pick the ones that are most appealing to you and you can prepare them according to your palate.
Start cooking more at home even though your schedule is hectic. Prep over the weekend or else cook the food at home and freeze it in freezer friendly containers. This will help in your better health and save lots of $$$$ if that motivates you. (I provide weekly meal plans for your convenience.)
Make healthy eating a habit and try to be consistent with it for at least a month. If you think it’s tough for you to avoid your favorite dessert then start making the dessert at home and try to camouflage some fruits/veggies into them. You will realize that you are consuming a healthier dessert and with some focus and determination you will eventually reduce your sugar consumption.
Log in a journal whatever you put in your mouth, not for losing weight or watching your calorie consumption but to make sure you are eating balanced nutrition of complex carbohydrates, good fat, high protein and lots of fiber along with other vitamins and minerals.
Avoid snacking on chips or any fried foods, instead opt for some Greek yogurt and top it with fresh fruits, veggies and hummus or nuts. Be consistent for a month and eventually you will form a habit and start enjoying the healthy food. Healthy eating doesn’t mean to sacrifice on taste or do away with your favorite food. You can indulge once in a while but make sure to go back to healthy eating routine again.
Here are some of the healthy food options…..
White rice …………………… brown rice/quinoa
Sugar…………………….. Banana
Butter………………………..nut butter
Sandwich spread………………… fresh avocado
Refined flour…………..whole wheat/whole grain
Cereal/granola…………………….oatmeal
Doughnuts…………………….bake fresh apples with a pinch of cinnamon
Chips/fries………………….carrots with hummus
Burger………………….lettuce wrap
Pizza………….whole grain pasta with sautéed fresh veggies
Garlic bread………………………whole wheat/whole grain bread dipped in olive oil.
Health tips of the week
“Eat healthy, stay healthy and enjoy life guilt free”.
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