From common misconceptions to unrealistic fitness aspirations, many of us are lacking when it comes to our nutrition and diet and these can often make healthy eating seem like a chore. Healthy eating should be varied and the more stimulated your palate and plate is, then the more likely you are to eating nutritious food. If you want to change your diet or improve the quality of your nutrition, then here are 3 simple tips you should try.
Prepare For Success
If you want to set yourself up for success, then you should think about your diet as a number of small and manageable steps, rather than one huge change. If you approach the changes with commitment and make adjustments gradually, then you will have a healthy diet much sooner than you think.
- Simplify: Instead of being overly concerned with calories and portion sizes, instead think of your diet in terms of colour, freshness and variety. If you do it this way, then it will be much easier to make better choices. Focus on finding foods which you love and recipes which are easy to switch up and fresh ingredients to.
- Start Slow: Make changes to your diet over time. Aiming to make your diet healthier overnight is unrealistic and isn’t a smart thing to do, as you are more likely to revert back to your old ways. Make small steps, such as adding a side salad to your dishes rather than carbs or changing from butter to coconut oil when cooking.
- Drink Water: Water should be considered one of the main components of your diet. Water helps to flush out toxins and waste from our bodies, yet so many of us are dehydrated on an almost daily basis, which can cause us to feel sluggish, tired and unwell. It’s common to mistake thirst for hunger, so keeping hydrated will help you to make better food choices.
Fill Up On Fruit And Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables should form the basis of our diets, but so many of us don’t eat nearly enough. They are low in calories, nutrient-dense and packed full of vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre and antioxidants. Try to eat the rainbow, so to speak, and enjoy a variety of different fruits and vegetables each day – the brighter the better! Often, colourful fruits and vegetables contain a much higher concentration of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
If you feel as though your diet is lacking in vitamins and minerals, it is important to speak to your doctor. They may recommend digestive health supplements so that you maintain a healthy gut or probiotic capsules.
Moderation Is Key
People tend to think of eating healthy as an all or nothing mindset, but the key for all healthy diets is moderation. No matter what the latest fad diet suggests, we all need a balance of protein, fat, fibre, vitamins and minerals and carbohydrates in order to keep our bodies healthy.
- Don’t Think Of Certain Foods Being Off-Limits: when you eliminate certain foods from your diet, then it is natural for your body to want these foods more and if you give in to the temptation, then you may feel like you have failed. However, you shouldn’t feel this way. When you are drawn to salty, sweet or unhealthy foods, then first start by reducing your portion sizes of these foods and have them less frequently. This way, you may find yourself craving them much less or just thinking them as occasional treats and indulgences.