What you choose to eat, and drink impacts how healthy you are. Poor nutrition choices lead to a variety of health issues. For instance, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and more can be a result of poor nutrition. In our fast-paced world, it can be difficult to find the time to slow down and make healthy food and beverage choices. Fast food is abundant and readily accessible. Vending machines with processed foods and sodas are at most offices. How can you make meaningful changes to your nutrition that can positively impact your health?
A good diet is well-balanced and heavy in fruits and green vegetables. With so many poor choices surrounding us, it can be difficult to have a good diet. Consider some ways to make improvements to your diet that can make improvements to your health.
Prepare more meals and snacks at home.
Fast food and restaurants are popular choices because they are convenient. After working a long day, running errands, and taking the kids to and from practice, the chore of preparing a meal seems daunting. However, preparing food at home can be so impactful on your nutrition and health. For one thing, restaurants often prepare food to taste, not for health. They often include unhealthy ingredients and oversized portions. Therefore, meal prepping and planning your weekly meals can make the task feel more manageable.
When you prepare your own food, you can choose healthier ingredients. For example, to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, clean and chop fruits and vegetables in advance. Then, put them in ready-to-containers so that you can grab them for your lunches or snacks. Make sure to take at least one serving of each with you every day when you head to work. Try switching out white bread for whole grain bread. Adding these foods can make you feel fuller and improve your health.
Stay hydrated with smart drink choices.
Good nutrition isn’t just about what you’re eating. It’s also about what you’re drinking. For example, sodas, juices, and sports drinks add a lot of extra sugar and calories to your diet. By opting for smart alternatives, you’ll improve your nutrition and health. Consider options like coffee, green tea, sparkling water, and, best of all, water. These options can help you cut your sugar intake. Be sure you are consuming enough water each day!
Drinking water after you wake up is a better choice than coffee. Water kick-starts your body and mind to get you functioning better in the morning. Try to have a glass of water before starting the coffee pot. You might be surprised when you feel more awake than usual!
Be mindful about what you’re eating and drinking.
When we’re busy, it can be easy to miss how many poor choices we’re making each day. Tracking your food through a journal or app is a great way to pay better attention to your nutrition. How many times did you eat fast food this week? How much processed food did you have this week? On the other hand, how many times did you eat a fruit or a vegetable? Food tracking will help you realize your habits and make improvements to them as needed.
When you’re eating, do so mindfully. Eat without distractions and pay attention to what you are eating. Plan to pause in the middle of your meal so you can be more aware of how full you are. This can help prevent overeating.
Paying attention to which foods you are choosing is also important for your health. Read food labels. Are you eating heavily processed foods? In addition, ask whether you are staying within the correct calorie guidelines for your health.
Small adjustments to your daily choices can make big improvements to your health. A good diet in combination with a good exercise plan can help you achieve great health. Which can you choose to incorporate today?
Are you on Facebook? We are too. Let’s be friends!
Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
