Photo Courtesy of antaean by flickr
If this is the year you are committed to having the best health ever, then here are some tips that will help get you started:
- Have some vegetables with your meals, preferably at least 4 servings a day (1 serving is about half a cup of cooked vegetables). Vegetables are full of nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber which are all important in body functions, fighting cell damage, and in controlling appetite. So make sure that your plate has some colorful vegetables.
- Replace the white stuff (white rice, white bread, white flour) with whole grain such as brown rice, whole wheat bread, and whole wheat pasta or noodles. Whole grain has more nutrients and makes you feel full longer because of the higher fiber content.
- Eat a healthy breakfast within two hours of waking up. It has been shown that breakfast eater are at healthier weight than non-breakfast eater. Non-breakfast eater tend to be more hungry later during the day and could end up eating more calories.
- Choose water, tea, or other no sugar-containing beverages. Sweetened beverages, such as sodas, specialty coffees, bottled tea, herbal drinks, fruit drinks, blended juice, can have very high calories but with very little or no nutrients or what is called “empty calories” which can sabotage your weight and can lead to health problems.
- Pack a healthy snack such as milk, soy milk, fruits, small package of nuts or seeds, or a sandwich made with whole wheat bread so you are not tempted to buy whatever is insight when you are starving.
You don’t need to wait to be healthy. Start having your best health by incorporating these simple strategies for you and your family right away.