Developing a healthy balanced diet plan isn’t as difficult as many people imagine.
A healthy diet would provide you with all essential nutrients and help you maintain good health. We all know eating right can help your body perform its function better. Not only that, a balanced diet plan on everyday basis prevents many illnesses and helps you stay energetic throughout the day.
We all juggle with not being able to make healthy choices and stick to a balanced diet. Well, fret not. To make things simple and easy here are few tips to help you stay good on the course of healthy living –
Prepare your meals. Take charge of your eating and this way you will be able to keep a check on your intake. Cooking is a fun and healthy indulgence indeed. Eat healthy and right.
Sodium up, Potassium Down- Excess sodium is bad for your heart health. Instead, have plenty of potassium rich foods like bananas, citrus fruits, potatoes, curd and beans.
Eat small portions. Instead of keeping full three meals in a day, try to split that into five small portions to eat throughout the day.
Whole grains are healthy. Switch to whole grains completely. Whole wheat, barley and oats contain almost all of nutrients and fiber from the original grain which is usually lost in processing otherwise. This is why ‘white’ flour is never a healthy option and should be avoided.
Say ‘No’ to refined sugars. Cut down on the refined sugars as much as you can. All sugary foods are calorie-dense. They are stripped out of many nutrients and lead to weight gain. So keep a check on those candies and soda drinks.
Gorge on nuts. Nuts are the healthiest and best choice for having added nutrients in your diet. Nuts are rich in fiber and antioxidants that help restore your immunity and protect you against aging. So snack it up on them whenever those hunger pangs arise.
Cut down on Trans Fat. All the foods that are processed are loaded with Trans Fats which are unhealthy. Most of the commercial baked goods, snacks, margarine etc have Trans Fat that leads to bad cholesterol in the body which ultimately poses health risks. They should be avoided completely.
Drink plenty of water- Water is the key. It helps you flush out the toxins from your body and keeps your system well hydrated. Dehydrated body experiences many issues like headaches, tiredness and lethargy.
Have variety of foods. Try to eat a wide range of foods every day. The more colors of food you incorporate in your diet, healthier your diet will be. Have loads of vegetables and fruits to ensure that you get the maximum nutrients from them. The best way to have wide assortment is to make salads.
Watch your Calcium and Vitamin D intake- These are the most vital nutrients for healthy bones. Take calcium supplements if you are not able to take minimum calcium needed for your body (1,000 to 1,200 mg a day). Sun is also a good source of Vitamin D.
Avoid Red Meat- Red Meat is never a healthy option as it boosts bad cholesterol. Even processed meat should be avoided, opt for white meat or low-fat dairy products.
Make right changes. Cut down on unhealthy foods but replace them with healthier and delicious options. Once in a week, try fasting or have a diet with plenty of raw foods like salads. Cut down on carbohydrates and sodium. You will see that right food choices will even improve your mood.
Choose wisely what goes into your tummy!