Transforming one’s diet from what tastes good to what’s good for you is not usually easy. The following 10 steps attempt to make that process easier:
1. Eat more protein
Large quantities of protein can help to boost your metabolism and reduce your appetite, which are two critical components to a healthier diet and lifestyle.
2. Start the day with a healthy breakfast
Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, and one many individuals ignore. Eggs are a great breakfast food as they are high in protein, healthy fats and other nutrients.
3. Eat plenty of good fats and oils
While it is not true that all fats and oils are bad for an individual there are certainly some, like trans fats and refined vegetable oils, that are highly undesirable. However, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil and nuts provide good fats and oils that the body needs.
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4. Avoid sugary beverages and fruit juices
Sugar is not beneficial to the body in any form, and liquid sugars are sometimes not even taken into account when your brain is trying to control your overall energy balance, which means individuals can often over-consume sugary beverages.
5. Replace sugar, refined carbs and modern wheat
These items are not only low in nutrients and fiber, they can contribute to overeating. Furthermore, modern wheat has a lower nutrient content than older forms of wheat. Healthier carbs include vegetables, fruits, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, oats, quinoa and legumes.
6. Eat meat or fish with lots of vegetables at dinner
Fatty fish is rich in Omega-3s, and vegetables are full of fiber and other important nutrients.
Mach up your carb intake with your overall metabolic health and your activity levels. Someone who is lean, healthy and a regular exercises may function better with a higher carb intake, while someone who is heavier and doesn’t exercise will do better with a lower carb intake.
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7. Don’t snack on unhealthy treats
There is honestly no point in eating nutritious breakfasts and dinners if you snack on unhealthy items throughout the rest of the day. A piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, some hard-boiled eggs or even baby carrots are good snack items.
8. Eliminate processed foods
Processed foods don’t have nutritional value and tend to pack on unhealthy weight, whereas high quality, real foods are more useful for the body.
9. Focus on your diet one day at a time
Make good health and nutrition a day-to-day challenge Don’t think about your target weight, instead, think about what you are eating at the moment. If you can stop yourself from eating something unhealthy, you are already winning. By winning as many days as you can, your diet will improve.
10. Remember that your diet is an ongoing battle, so don’t start big, grow into it
Good health and nutrition is not something you simply do for a little while, it’s something you maintain throughout your life. The rewards for this are great, but if you try too much too soon, you are destined to fail. Do what you can, try to eat well one day at a time. As it gets easier to control what you eat, look to adapt your routine with other healthy living options.
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