With a hectic lifestyle and a barrage of unhealthy convenience foods available, eating well can be a real challenge. However, a nutritious diet is essential for healthful living and weight loss. Although it is often easier to grab unhealthy foods, there are many ways to make eating well a sustainable part of life.
Have a Plan
When it comes to healthy eating, the lack of a plan is a setup for failure. When beginning a healthy living journey, it is important to develop a personal strategy for slow, sustained weight loss. According to Helpguide.org, permanent weight loss should be considered in terms of a true change in lifestyle and not a quick-fix crash diet. Planning meals and snacks each day is an important part of maintaining progress. When food is planned and prepared for the week, there is less chance of an impromptu vending machine trip or an unplanned stop at a fast food restaurant. Placing fruit, nuts and whole grain crackers into small baggies provides easy access to healthy snacks.
Make Better Choices
Healthy eating for weight loss does not mean giving up all your favorite foods. Simply making substitutions for some unhealthy ingredients can create tasty meals that satisfy the cravings for the things you love. For example, if you want chocolate, snack on sugar-free chocolate pudding instead of a chocolate bar. Make chocolate a minor part of dessert instead of the main ingredient by topping fruit or angel food cake with a drizzle of chocolate syrup, instead having a chocolate brownie. Helpguide.org warns against completely eliminating foods from the diet in an attempt to lose weight. Not only does this eliminate certain nutrients from the diet, but it can also encourage feelings of deprivation.
Eat Whole Foods
Whole foods are healthier and more satisfying than processed counterparts. Whole fruit contains fewer calories and packs more antioxidants and fiber than fruit juice, resulting in a more satiated feeling. Whole fruit also takes longer to eat, which gives the body more time to recognize fullness. Whole grain foods are also filled with more vitamins and nutrients than refined grain products. Make sandwiches with whole wheat bread instead of enriched white bread. The American Diabetes Association recommends filling the cupboards with whole, healthy foods instead of processed foods so that there is always easy access. According to MayoClinic.com, whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are low-energy density foods. Foods with low-energy density allow you to eat a larger volume of food for fewer calories.
Member Comments