The quest for robust mental and physical health is shared by many, yet it often slips down our list of priorities.
Notwithstanding the quality of our childhood nutritional education, our dietary habits tend to deteriorate as we mature. Quick service restaurants and time constraints contribute to this decline, making it challenging to adhere to a healthy diet.
The rise in unhealthy food options corresponds with an increase in persistent ‘lifestyle' diseases. To curb the onset of these diseases and to foster longevity and health, it's crucial to cultivate healthier life habits.
Essential Nutritional Guidelines for Enhanced Health
To preempt diseases, sustain your optimal weight, or shed unwanted pounds, observing specific dietary guidelines grounded in research is crucial.
Here are a few worth noting:
Cultivate Better Eating Habits
For effective improvement in your eating habits, adopt gradual changes rather than an abrupt dietary overhaul. Gradual changes are less likely to trigger cheating or quitting. Incorporating more fresh produce like vibrant fruits and vegetables into your everyday meals is a good start. They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and foster gut health.
If you have health issues, like kidney or heart disease, that can be exacerbated by unhealthy eating, improving your eating habits is crucial.
Embrace Moderation
Eating is vital, but it must be done thoughtfully. A healthy diet is a balanced one, and moderation is key. Overeating and overdrinking can be detrimental to your health.
A balanced diet rich in complex carbohydrates, fat, fiber, minerals, protein, and vitamins is recommended. Occasional indulgences are okay if you're generally living healthily. If you have a penchant for salty, sweet, or other unhealthy foods, snacks, or beverages, consume them sparingly and in small amounts.
Monitor Your Portions – Control is Vital
Being mindful of your portion sizes aids in better diet and weight management. Using smaller plates to serve your meals at home can help. When dining out, opt for a starter or entrée on a small plate as your main meal or go for smaller main courses.
Keep a Food Diary
Keeping track of your daily food intake in a food diary can help you determine which nutrients you need more or less of. A dietician or nutritionist can provide personalized advice based on this diary, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition.
Eat Mindfully
Healthy nutrition extends beyond what you eat to how you prepare and consume it. Consider your food as vital nourishment for your body. Opt for baking, broiling, or grilling instead of frying. Pay attention to your body's signals and eat slowly and mindfully. Avoid distractions like TV or mobile phones while eating, as these often lead to overeating.
Maintain Regular Meal Times
Ensure you have a nutritious breakfast and stick to regular mealtimes daily. This helps sustain your energy, boost your metabolism, and curb unhealthy snacking. Avoid late-night eating or drinking. Have a heavier lunch and a lighter dinner to give your body ample digestion time before bed.
Proper timing of meals and snacks, such as eating 45 minutes after a workout, can help reduce fat gain. You might also consider intermittent fasting to improve your health.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated helps flush toxins and waste from your body. Dehydration can lead to headaches, low energy, and fatigue. Drink plenty of water and avoid energy drinks, soda, fruit juice, instant coffee, sweetened milk, and iced tea.
The key to better health and fitness lies in your willingness to follow these steps. The primary ingredient for better health is healthy nutrition, and it's something you should have control over.