Good eating is something we need to demystify as a society to combat the more than two billion adults who suffer across the globe from the scourge of obesity. It’s really not that hard, but fad diets and philosophies have made it appear so.
In the following article, we’re going to tell you exactly how to do it. These simple health tips work no matter what.
1. Gravitate Towards Fiber When Consuming Starches
Want to get healthy in time for your next open enrollment period? Then you’ll need to start ensuring your digestive processes are firing on all cylinders. Unfortunately, we tend to overload on starchy carbohydrates like potatoes and bread in our daily diet.
This type of food is necessary to normal bodily functions, but our tendency to overdo it as well as the likelihood of choosing starches low in fiber is great. To combat this, consider substituting wheat-based products with gluten-free options that are stronger in fiber (brown rice, for instance).
2. Load Up on Fruits and Vegetables
Of course, truly getting healthy means you’ll need to take in more fruits and vegetables. Fruit sources like apples provide natural sugars and around five grams of fiber in exchange for just 80-100 of your daily allotted calories. Baby carrots are great veggie options, delivering three grams of fiber per 35 calories.
3. Embrace Chicken
No list of daily health tips would be complete without endorsing chicken as one of the best possible proteins. At 230 calories a cup and 43 grams of protein, you can get filled up in a hurry as long as you’re not battering it and dipping it into a fryer. Go with baked or grilled if eating this food for health purposes.
4. Scale Back Sugars and Saturated Fats
Sugar in itself isn’t a bad thing. It comes in most of the healthiest foods on earth (fresh fruit), but the problem with many products on grocery store shelves is that it comes with added sugar – way more than the human body is capable of processing.
Saturated fats are the same way, as in healthy to a degree but prevalent far beyond healthy levels in much of what the western diet includes. The higher your saturated fats and sugars, the more likely you are to experience problems like diabetes or heart disease.
5. Trade Red Meats for Fish
Red meats have been linked to increased risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. Sadly, they’re a great source for iron and protein.
The solution? Eat more fish, such as salmon, trout, and sardines. These are high in protein, low in calories, and they contain the vitamins and minerals you might otherwise get from a slab of beef.
6. Exercise
Start from where you are. Don’t think you have to ever get to competition levels. If you’re walking 3,000 steps per day, start trying to add 100 to that each day. By the time a couple of months have passed, you’ll feel better while logging 9,000 steps per day.
Never underestimate the power of incremental improvements in your workout routine. Just start. Then you can gradually increase the intensity, and that goes for cardio and strength training.
7. Drink Lots of Water
A good rule of thumb for water intake is half your body weight in ounces. If you weigh 200 pounds, start throwing back 100 ounces per day. It’s a lot easier if you have a special water container and drink multiples of that over a 24-hour period.
Good Eating Is Easier Than You Think
Good eating is simple when you load up on protein and fiber and cut back on sugars and saturated fats. Throw exercise and water into the mix, and cravings will be a thing of the past.
Good luck on your health journey! If you have any questions about how healthy eating can affect your insurance premiums, contact us today.