Many people are discouraged from eating healthy because they think it’s too expensive or they love junk food too much. Yes, some of the all-organic and more nutritious foods can be kind of pricey, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. A great place to start is making minor changes to your diet that don’t cost a lot of money.
Eating healthy doesn’t mean that you have to eat tasteless food, either. There are so many delicious and foods out there that are also good for you. So, if you’re ready to make a change for the better, check out these eight tips for eating a healthier diet and improving your food habits.
Where to Find Great Recipes
A big part of eating healthier and making better diet choices is cooking your own food rather than buying prepared meals or processed products, like frozen dinners. However, it can feel overwhelming trying to make a complete meal from many different ingredients, especially if you’re a novice in the kitchen or you don’t have a set recipe in mind. Check out some of the super simple and tasty recipes at SupplementRelief.com for some healthy and quick ideas for all three major meals. They have tons of healthy alternative recipes for your favorite desserts and guilty food pleasures. They’re easy to follow, even if you’re a beginner. Part of eating healthy is eating right, and that starts with a good recipe, although there’s more to eating healthy than just how you prepare your food. You can use many different tips and techniques to eat a more nutritious diet and cut out some calories. Here are eight tips to eating better and healthier.
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Drink tons of water
Many people simply don’t drink enough water. Keeping hydrated is incredibly important our bodies are 98% water, after all. In fact, some studies have shown that drinking enough water can contribute to weight loss and better weight management. They have also shown that drinking water before you eat meals will help you feel full faster, reducing your calorie intake and appetite. You might think that soda or juice count since their main ingredient is water, but that would be false. Soda and juice are both jam-packed full of sugars and carbs, which are very bad for your health.
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Try roasting instead of frying
If deep-fried anything is your kryptonite, you might want to try baking or roasting your favorite foods instead. The way you prepare your food has a lot to do with its nutritional value and its total calories. Roasting or baking is a much better alternative to deep-fried foods soaked in oil. Some other healthier cooking methods include boiling, simmering, pressure cooking, and slow cooking. There are thousands of delicious and healthy recipes that use those cooking methods try them, you might be surprised at how much you like it.
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Reduce your sodium intake
Salt may make food taste better (French fries, anyone?), but it can be very harmful if eaten in excessive amounts. Eating healthy is all about balance. When you consume too much sodium, it can increase your blood pressure. Take your time and read the food labels. Many processed foods contain loads of hidden sodium, and sometimes it’s hidden in foods you wouldn’t expect. Deli meat has a lot of sodium in it, particularly ham. If you still want to add some zest to your food, try squeezing some lemon juice instead of salt or look for some herb blends that don’t contain sodium.
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Take smaller portions
One of the best ways to reduce your calorie intake and eat healthier is to take smaller portions. The sizes in typical American fast-food restaurants are insanely huge compared to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, seeing these mega-portions all the time makes most people think it’s the norm to do things like drinking a liter of soda with every meal. Next time you go to load up your plate, try to cut the amount of food you’re taking by 25%. Make minor changes that won’t be disruptive to your regular routine but still offer you some progress.
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Eat slowly and take stock of how full you are
When it’s time to eat meals, try eating very slowly. Take the time to consider how you feel and if your stomach is full. Give yourself a minute or two between bites. When you eat slowly, you give your stomach a chance to catch up and tell your brain when it’s had enough food. This may only be a slight change, but you can cut your calorie intake by a lot when you get in the habit of eating slowly. Small changes like that add up over time and lead to bigger, more noticeable changes.
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Choose whole-wheat bread
Another change you can make is choosing whole-wheat bread instead of white bread. Refined-grain white bread has been bleached of any nutritional value it may have once had, making it very bad for you. Choose whole-grain bread or whole-wheat instead, which are both chocks full of fiber and vital nutrients and minerals. In fact, whole grains have been proven to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. There’s only one last thing to remember: check the label and make sure the bread you choose is made exclusively of whole grains and not a mix of refined and whole grains.
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Stock up on protein
Your protein intake has a significant impact on your overall health and wellness. Eating protein makes you feel full and helps you cut down on calories. It’s also essential to help you form muscle mass, which can affect your metabolism. By adding an additional protein source to your diet, you can eat much healthier. Some tasty protein sources include lean meat, dairy products, nuts, eggs, peanut butter, and beans.
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Pick your potatoes wisely
A great way to eat healthier is by cutting down on the number of potatoes you eat in your diet and avoiding deep-fried potatoes altogether. French fries are deliciously salty; this is true. However, they are also notorious for being very bad for your heart and health. Instead of choosing French fries, try baked potatoes instead. If you love mashed potatoes, don’t load them up with tons of sour cream, butter, and salt. Instead, try adding garlic or chives to your mashed potatoes for a flavor boost.
Make Small Changes to Eat Healthier
Some of the smallest changes in your diet and eating habits can add up to significant changes in the long run. Try eating smaller portions, bake and roast food instead of frying, and eat slowly so you can tell when you’re full. Eating healthy doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, though you might think otherwise. But, there are plenty of affordable ways to make better diet choices. By starting small, you can work your way to bigger and bigger changes until you are happy with your weight, your diet, and your food choices.
