5 steps to healthy eating

If you are looking for a way to eat healthily or create a healthier lifestyle, here are five simple steps to help you do just that. Eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated, and it can be pretty enjoyable if you know what foods to eat. This article discusses how eating healthy does not always mean depriving yourself of the food you love.

Start your day with a healthy breakfast.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so don't skip it. Eating breakfast will help you stay energized throughout your morning routine, and that means that you are less likely to opt for a full-sugar soda or candy bar before lunchtime. Breakfast doesn't have to be complicated either! Some excellent healthy choices include oatmeal, whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, fruit smoothies, and yogurt. Also, try making a waffle or pancake batter using whole grain flour instead of white if you eat breakfast at home.

Cut down on processed foods.

Processed foods come in a box or a bag and contain very few ingredients - usually, they have an array of chemicals designed to preserve freshness and create the most appealing appearance possible. While these foods may be tasty, they are not healthy. For example, a candy bar that appears to have many nuts inside doesn't contain a lot of nuts. It is full of processed ingredients and sugar instead.

Fill half your plate with vegetables.

Vegetables should take up at least half of your plate at each meal. Aim for various vegetables - dark, leafy greens like spinach and kale, root vegetables like potatoes and carrots, and colorful vegetables such as broccoli and tomatoes.

Eat your colors

The more colors on your plate at each meal, the better! For example, you could eat an orange vegetable (like carrots or sweet potato), a green vegetable (like broccoli or asparagus), and a red fruit (like strawberries, raspberries, or tomatoes). When eating carbs, consider going whole grain whenever possible. Whole grains have more fiber and nutrients than their refined counterparts.

Limit your snacking to once a day

When it comes to healthy eating, less is more! We all know that feeling of being uncomfortably full, and it's essential to prevent this from becoming the norm. Overeating at once can not only cause discomfort but also lead to weight gain.

Drink your water

Water keeps your skin hydrated, which means healthy-looking skin, fewer wrinkles, and a nice glow to your complexion. It also helps you feel full, so it can help with weight loss by keeping you from feeling hungry between meals.

Bonus: Reduce your intake of simple carbohydrates.

Simple carbohydrates (also known as "bad" carbs) include refined sugars and flour found in many snack foods like cookies, cakes, and chips. These products tend to be high in calories while providing few other nutritional benefits.

Some people may think that eliminating all simple carbohydrates is the best way to eat healthily, but this isn't necessarily true. A person who cuts out all "bad" carbs will eventually become tired of eating foods like brown rice and steak day after day. Unfortunately, this leads to cravings for junk food that can derail your healthy eating plan.

Reduce your intake of simple carbohydrates without depriving yourself of choosing whole grains over refined grains whenever possible. For example, brown rice is a complex carbohydrate packed with fiber and other essential nutrients, while white rice has removed the germ and bran.

Baked potatoes are another excellent complex carbohydrate. Not only will they satisfy your need for starches, but they're also full of vitamins and antioxidants. Other whole grains to eat more of include quinoa, oats, buckwheat, and millet.

Replacing bad fats (think trans fat) with good ones is another great way to incorporate healthy eating into your lifestyle. Good fats - like omega-3s found in fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel - are great for your heart and can help lower blood pressure.

Bottom Line:

By following these five easy steps, you'll be well on your way to a healthier diet! If you are looking for help to keep track of your diet or need further motivation to continue your healthy eating journey, visit my blog for helpful tips and tricks. And remember, it is possible to have a healthy diet that includes all your favorite foods. It just might take some time for you to figure out exactly what those are!