Change the Way You View Food
By Sara Butler
Staying healthy and eating right is a struggle for most people in the world. Temptation is around every corner, not to mention exhaustion that leads you to a drive-thru on your way home from work. How can you possibly make healthy changes in the way you view food that has staying power? These tips can help you to change your view on food and the role it plays in your life.
Say Yes
Instead of focusing on the food you should say no to, focus on the foods that you can say yes to. Try to look at the positive things at work in your diet such as enjoying delicious food that is healthy for you rather than vowing to never have chocolate again. That can help you feel less restricted and improves your chances of avoiding a binge. Try to daydream about the healthy food you should be eating.
Create a Weekly Plan
When you have no clue what you’re having for dinner, then it makes it much easier to grab convenient foods on the way home -- and most of those foods are not going to win any healthy eating contests. That’s why one of the keys to success for a healthy lifestyle is to plan ahead. Make a plan for dinners all week long, get the ingredients, and even cook a few ahead of time if you want. That way you can stay accountable and full of good, healthy food!
Get Label Savvy
You probably have the basics of nutrition label reading down pretty well and can easily spot calories, serving size, protein, and other important nutritional information. But now is the time to take that knowledge to the next level.
Look at the ingredients labels of the foods at the store and avoid anything with preservatives, MSG, and hydrogenated fat. Also, use the number of nutrients on the label to understand if a food is really worth investing in. For every 10 grams of carbohydrates, nutritionists recommend at least one gram of fiber. And the total milligrams of sodium per service shouldn’t exceed total calories, either.
Work Out Your Gut
You should work out your body -- and your gut! Focus on foods that are a challenge for your digestive system to digest. These types of foods tend to keep you fuller for longer, helping you to eat less in the long run. Eat foods that are nutritionally dense and full of fiber, such as avocado on whole grain or bean-based pasta. Raw vegetables are also a good call and full of prebiotics that are good for your gut.
You must educate yourself to learn the ins and outs of nutrition so you can stay healthy and strong.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Durham, N.C.