5 Tips For Eating Healthily
Some rights reserved by williamchoEating healthily is not just about losing weight. It is a lifestyle change for you and your family, which should go some way towards ensuring that you live a long, happy, and healthy life. Follow the five tips below to see how you can start eating healthier by making better choices about the food you eat and cook.
Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables
If you think that five portions of fruit and vegetables per day sounds daunting, think again. You will be amazed how many food products contain fruit and vegetables, which can contribute to your daily intake without you even realising. These include dried fruit that can be eaten as a snack, unsweetened fruit juice as well as the vegetables you include in your cooking.
Foods you need
Adding more fish to your diet is a good part of healthy eating as fish contains important proteins and minerals and oily fish is a good source of Omega 3, which can help prevent heart disease. Two portions per week, including one of oily fish such as salmon or fresh tuna, is considered to be a healthy amount.
Foods to consider
Some of the foods that you should be avoiding are those containing too much saturated fat, too much sugar, and too much salt. Fat is something that all people need in their diet, but of the two types (saturated and unsaturated), it is the latter that should be consumed in higher quantities. Unsaturated fat is found in the oily fish described above and in vegetable oils, while saturated fat is found in cakes, hard cheese and sausages, to name but a few examples. Try to be more healthy about the fat you eat by using low-fat alternatives and eating the leanest meat with the visible fat removed.
As with fats, there are some sugars that are better for you than others. There are naturally occurring sugars in fruit, vegetables and milk, but the ones to avoid are those found in alcohol, fizzy drinks, cakes, and biscuits. These sorts of foods are usually high in calories, causing weight gain and teeth problems. Salt is already present in shop-bought foods such as cereal and ready-made sauces. Excessive amounts can cause high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke. Food labels should state the salt content, so you need to be aware, particularly if you are a parent, as children's recommended salt intake is less than that of an adult.
Starchy foods can be good for you
Starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta, and bread can be part of a healthy balanced diet. For your main meal try to make sure you include at least one starchy food, although try to choose wholegrain breads, pasta, and rice as they make you fuller and hold off your hunger, which should prevent you from snacking.
Eat in the morning
Eating breakfast is a great way to kick-start your day as well as helping you to control your weight. Healthy options such as cereals, fruit, and wholegrain bread are all part of a balanced diet and will provide you with the energy you need to get through the day.
Eating healthily is just one part of having a healthy lifestyle. It is also important to exercise regularly and keep active. The combination of exercise and a healthy diet should make you look and feel much healthier.
This guest post has been written on behalf of So Switch.
Health, Healthy Eating, Vegetables, breakfast, diet, fats, fruit, sugars 
Reader Comments (3)
Thanks for the tips, though, and reminder to stay on the right track!