11 Eating Habits That Can Revamp Your Healthy Lifestyle

There are so many factors tha go into living a healthy lifestyle, but the food that you put into your body is undeniably one of the most important ones. Many experts argue that a balanced diet is even more important (and significantly so) than getting enough exercise. But making the “right” choices isn’t always so intuitive. So if you’re aiming to make the way you live the least bit healthier, here are 11 eating habits to consider.

1. Cook your meals.

This one might sound obvious, but dedicate time to preparing your meals at home. While opting for takeout can seem more comfortable in the moment, the food that you get delivered likely contains unhealthy ingredients. Fast food — one of the most common options nowadays — is rich in calories… and not the nutritious kind. Instead, cook meals from scratch, using only healthy ingredients — fresh vegetables that are in season, lean meat and fruits you love. With that said, there’s no need to exert yourself in preparing complicated meals. Just keep things simple and enjoy your food.

2. Diversify your diet.

If you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you have to opt for a diverse diet. When you create your healthy diet plan, make sure it includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy products, and nuts and seeds. Each major food group has benefits to offer your body that contribute to your overall well-being. And by consistently adding new healthy food options to your mealtime routine, you also protect yourself against potentially harmful substances used in the same foods (like pesticides and insecticides) that you would end up eating more frequently.

3. Don’t be afraid to try new foods.

As we get older, we have a tendency to settle on certain foods and vary them accordingly. However, this habit limits the nutritional range of your diet, negatively impacting your general health. You need to try new foods and surprise your palate with unique flavors. You can accomplish this goal by visiting new restaurants, trying new dishes at your favorite spots or playing with new recipes in the comfort of your own kitchen. What matters most is that you allow yourself to experience new food, potentially even finding some new favorite dishes in the process.

4. Pay attention to your portion sizes.

Fast food restaurants entice you with super-sized portions, so you end up eating far more calories than you actually need. And unfortunately, we tend to replicate this behavior at home, creating huge portions of food for ourselves. Pair excess calories with a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity is just around the corner. So pay attention to your portion sizes. Eat until you’re satisfied — not until you can no longer breathe. If you’re looking to cut back on your food intake, try eating from a smaller plate. This method tricks your brain into thinking that you are still eating a lot. Also, avoid dining in front of the television because mindless distractions often lead to overeating.

5. Enjoy your food.

So many of us have forgotten to simply enjoy our food when meal time rolls around because we’re perpetually on the run and in a hurry to tackle a million different tasks, but it’s time to press the reset button here. Food is nourishing for both your body and soul, and you should always take your time to savor it. What’s more, you should never feel guilty about eating as long as you are eating good food that’s prepared with fresh, delicious ingredients. Instead of judging yourself, make every meal a celebration, trying new recipes and varying the ingredients for fun. And remember: Food tastes better when it’s shared with others.

6. Never skip breakfast.

Breakfast is, without a doubt, the most important meal of the day. It can prevent you from overeating by keeping your blood sugar levels stable and reducing both the frequency and severity of unhealthy cravings. Breakfast can even help you lose weight by activating your metabolism and helping you burn excess fat. If you want to lose weight, never skip breakfast. And if you don’t have the time to prep breakfast in the morning, do it the night before. That way, when you wake up, all you have to do is heat your meal and enjoy it in peace. You can savor a simple breakfast in a matter of minutes.

7. Don’t give up all carbs.

For the longest time, you were told that carbs are simply “bad.” However, this is far from true, and the moderate consumption of high-quality, complex carbohydrates is quite beneficial for your overall health. Potatoes, pasta, rice and cereals should be part of your balanced diet. The key is to hone in on complex carbs, preferably ones that are rich in fiber. Whole grains are excellent because they leave you feeling fuller for longer. Just remember to watch your portion sizes and you’ll fare just fine.

8. Skip fruit juice and go right to the source.

Juicing your fruits used to be all the rage, but today, it’s recommended that you eat the produce in its natural form and skip this prep step. When transforming a fruit into juice, you waste its pulp and end up consuming a higher amount of fructose, AKA sugar. This influx can’t be properly metabolized by your liver, so instead, it’s stored as fat. Fruit in its natural state is always the better pick.

9. Balanced snacks can keep hunger at bay.

When it comes to eating habits for healthy lifestyle, balanced snacks are definitely on the list. They can prevent you from overeating at your next meal and keep your blood sugar levels stable. Fruits are excellent choices for snacks, especially when they’re paired with healthy fats, such as peanut butter or almond butter. You can also consume fresh veggies with a homemade dip like hummus. What matters most is that you stay away from processed or refined foods because they often contain unhealthy fats and increase the risk of obesity.

10. Starvation is never a good idea.

If you’re interested in losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you need to eat. Starvation places your body in stress mode, which causes you to eat more than is necessary at the end of the day. You need to consume food in moderate quantities because balanced meals will provide you with energy for daily living. Balanced meals include carbs, proteins and fats.

11. Drink water with your meals.

The supermarket shelves are filled with all sorts of sugary drinks, sweetened teas and other colorful beverages. We’re tempted to consume these empty calories, making our cravings for sweets even worse. But if you really want to stay healthy, you need to stick to drinking water. Water keeps you hydrated, helps you keep your food portions in check and allows your body to perform all of the functions it needs to complete on a daily basis. Sugary beverages can’t offer you any of these benefits.

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