Eating Healthy: The Top Tips

thelight Eating Healthy: The Top Tips A Balanced Diet 15% 55% 30% Carbohydrates Fats Proteins About Eating a properly balanced and nutritious diet is paramount hen it comes living a long and healthy life, and offers numerous benefits. Eating healthy doesn't mean starving yourself to become thin and completely cutting out the foods you love. Eating healthy involves eating a balanced diet which contains the three macro-nutrients; protein, carbohydrates and fats. By learning the basics and sticking to your goal, it is easy for people of all ages to improve their health and physical ability. Set a goal If you are planning to lose weight, then you need to set yourself up for success. If you approach healthy eating with commitment and great manageable steps, you will be closer to your goal sooner than you think. UNHEALTHY Once you have set your goal, start slow and make gradual changes. Changing your diet completely won't happen overnight. Take small steps: For example, begin with adding colours to your meals, such as veg or salad. It should eventually become habit and you will be one step closer to your goal. Eat in moderation Moderation is key when it comes to eating. It is certainly not 'all or nothing' which many people live. Eating little and often has shown the best results with many people. EEFE Think smaller portions when preparing your meals and avoid thinking that the bad foods that you like are completely banned. If you eat your food in moderation, you are less likely to give into temptation. Add colourful fruits and vegetables to your shopping list Fruit and vegetables are key to any healthy diet. Apart from being very tasty, they are low in calories and high in nutrition. It is recommended that the more colour in your diet, the better. The deeper the colour, the higher nutritive value. It will contain high levels of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Try and eat a wide range of vegetables during the day with each meal you have. Healthy carbs and whole grains Eating healthy carbs and fibre will dramatically improve your energy levels. Whole grains are much healthier than processed carbs. They contain many antioxidants and physiochemical, which help prevent many illnesses such as heart disease, cancers and diabetes. Healthy carbs digest slowly and keep you energised for longer. These include, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans. Unhealthy carbs digest as soon as you eat them and are linked to weight gain. These include: white flour, white rice and refined sugar. Healthy fats and unhealthy fats The healthy fats you need are Monounsaturated fats, which come from plant oils and nuts, and Polyunsaturated fat, which are fatty acids found in fish. The fats you need to avoid are saturated fats and trans fats. Saturated fats are found in red meat and dairy products. Trans fats are found in processed foods and are bad for the body. Healthy fats are needed to nourish parts of your body, such as your brain, heart and cells. They're important as they help your body remain healthy and can prevent heart disease and improve your mood. Protein Protein is the building blocks of the body. Once eaten, it is broken down into 20 amino acids, which are then used for growth, repair or muscle, and tissue and energy. In addition, when choosing protein, aim for the highest quality sources of protein you can find and avoid protein which contains hormones and antibiotics. Why eating healthy is good for you Eating healthy has numerous benefits. It increases your energy levels, makes your heart and brain healthier, allows you to control your weight, dramatically improves your mood and combats many diseases. Eating healthy is certainly a choice you should make as it will massively improve the quality of your life.