One of the best ways to promote good health is by following a good diet.
This allows you to shed a few pounds or maintain a healthy weight. The
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute links overweight and obesity to diseases such as high blood pressure,
diabetes, coronary heart disease, and more. Protect yourself by watching
what you eat and limiting foods that are bad for you. This is, of course,
easier said than done. No matter how strongly you commit yourself to a
proper diet, temptations linger at every corner.
To better help you stay on track with your diet, we’ve provided the
following tips:
1. Adjust Eating Habits
How we eat can play as big a role as
what we eat. We all have certain eating habits that may subtly sabotage our
diet plans. In order to adjust eating habits, it is important to recognize
common behaviors that may work against us. These behaviors may include
eating when you aren’t hungry (mid-day snackers) and eating bigger
portion sizes due to large meal servings.
Common eating habits that lead to weight gain include:
- Overeating (finishing everything on your plate)
- Not paying attention what you eat
- Eating too quickly
- Skipping meals
- Eating when you’re not hungry
Often, we do not think very hard about what we are putting in our bodies.
By slowing down and consciously deciding what you are going to eat, you
can help regulate your calories and nutrition. Try to adjust so that you
eat several smaller meals, which can help you control hunger and prevent
mindless eating.
2. Follow a Realistic Food Plan
It can be tempting to say you will give up all fatty, sugary foods at once
to try to quickly lose weight. However, going cold turkey with your diet
can have detrimental effects in the future. Eating well is all about balance.
Commit yourself to a food plan high in fiber, nutrients, protein, and
vitamins. Always have a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water. But
include some of your favorite treats, as well. Depriving yourself of your
favorite foods can put you at risk for future binge eating. You can still
have that slice of pizza or a cookie, as long as it is in moderation and
you balance it out with nutritional foods and exercise.
3. Stock Your Home with Healthy Food
One of the biggest ways you can ruin your dieting efforts is by keeping
junk food in the home. Many times, we reach for the bag of chips or box
of cookies simply because they are there. As the saying goes,
“out of sight, out of mind.” The trick here is to replace
the bad food with nutritional snacks. This way, you will have to go out
of your way to buy dessert or unhealthy treats. You can also cut fruits
and vegetables ahead of time so that they are ready to eat throughout
the week. This way, whenever you crave something to munch on or are looking
for a midnight snack, you’ll have healthier options.
Remember, it is important to always couple healthy eating habits with continuous
exercise. Speak to your doctor about a healthy diet that is right for you!
This article contains general information about medical conditions and
treatments. The information is not advice and should not be treated as
such. The information is not intended to replace the advice or diagnosis
of a physician.
If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should
consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.