Keeping healthy is simpler than you might think! It starts with eating properly. A diet full of good nutrition not only helps prevent serious illnesses like heart disease but can also help manage these conditions if you have them already. What constitutes “healthy eating” might differ for each of us, but the ultimate goal is the same: continually eating the kinds of food and drink that contain the essential nutrients we need to be at our best. So, how do you start eating healthier and stick with it? Let’s dig into some expert advice.
So, what is good nutrition? It’s like the foundation of good health. It’s all about eating food full of essential vitamins and minerals without too much fat. High-fiber foods can benefit many of us, and everyone would do well to eat five servings of fruit and veggies a day. Also, it’s wise to be aware of portion sizes so as not to eat more calories than your body needs.
Eating balanced meals and exercising regularly are key to staying healthy. But beware of quick-fix diets promising fast results—they’re often hard to keep up and could even be harmful. Instead, opt for a sustainable approach to your diet. For example, knowing the calorie count of a food item like roti might be handy.
Thinking about changing your diet? If you say “yes” to any of these questions, you might need to talk to a healthcare professional about your diet:
• Are you worried about some medical conditions or risk factors, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol?
• Did your doctor say that better nutrition could enhance your health?
• Do illnesses like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or osteoporosis run in your family?
• Have you been gaining weight or are currently overweight?
• Are you unsure about what kind of food you should eat or whether dietary supplements could help you?
• Do you think talking to a nutritionist could be useful?
Shifting to healthier eating can be tough, but it’s entirely possible by making small changes over time. If you have certain conditions affected by what you eat—like kidney disease, lactose intolerance, or celiac disease—these changes are even more crucial. Here are some tips for healthier eating. Remember, you should also check in with your healthcare provider about your progress:
• Review your current diet: Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables? Are you getting enough calcium? Is your diet rich in whole grains and fiber? If so, good job! If not, try to include these foods more.
• Keep track of what you eat and drink each day: A food diary can help you see where you might need to adjust your diet.
• Consider getting advice from a registered dietitian: They can give you customized diet advice, especially if you have particular health concerns.
To eat healthier, try cutting down on unhealthy fats. If you’re used to eating a lot of fatty foods, consider these changes:
• Bake, grill, or broil meat instead of frying it. Remove the skin from chicken or turkey before cooking and try to eat fish at least once a week.
• Cut back on extra fats like butter on bread or high-calorie salad dressings. Choose low-fat or non-fat options instead.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Read nutrition labels on food before buying it. Ask your healthcare provider or dietitian for help if you’re confused about what the labels mean.
• Be aware of hidden fats and large portions when you eat out.
Staying hydrated is also important for good health. Choose drinks like water or tea that have few or zero calories. Sugary drinks—like fruit juices, soda, and sweetened tea—add extra sugar and calories you don’t need.
In summary:
• There’s no magic trick to better nutrition. The healthiest diet is a varied one, mostly made up of whole foods.
• Be wary of diets or products that promise quick, amazing results. Sometimes, the people endorsing them are being paid and might not mention possible side effects or the chance of gaining back lost weight.
• Set reasonable diet goals for yourself. Whether that’s eating less unhealthy fat or making small changes to your diet, every little bit helps. Taking charge of your nutrition is a journey worth going on.
About the Author:
Anamika Singh is a content marketer at Rotimatic. As a mom of two, she uses her parenting and cooking experiences to create practical and engaging content about homemaking and home appliances. When she’s not creating content or looking after her family, she loves to cook up tasty dishes and delve into a good book. Her practical tips are valuable to her readers.
