Healthier food, happier life! But sometimes boredom can be the enemy of your healthy diet. It is said that variety is the spice of life. That is certainly true when trying to eat a healthy diet. No one likes to eat the same thing day after day.
Fortunately for those trying to follow a healthy diet, there is plenty of variety to be had in healthy foods. There are the hundreds of varieties of fruits and vegetables available at the average grocery store. There are beans, lentils and nuts. You can find a wide variety of meat, dairy products, fish and poultry. There is no need for boredom to set in when pursuing a healthier lifestyle.
Here are 6 ways to set you up for achieving your healthy eating goals.
Table of Contents
Plan your meals in advance
The key to enjoying a variety of foods while eating healthy is to plan meals carefully. Make sure that you use the many varieties of foods that are available. Using a combination of fresh vegetables, meats and whole grains, you can create a fresh and healthful meal every day. Meal prep is a great way to prepare food for the week ahead!
Enjoy multiple ways of preparing food
You can make soups, salads and main dishes using an ingredient in a different way each time. One day have your varied vegetables as a side dish. Next day, add them to your soup. Another day grill them.
Pay attention to presentation
Enjoy food styling tricks while preparing your meals. Some simple changes can keep you from getting bored with your meals.
Prepare fancy fruit salads that are not boring
Nutritionists often stress the importance of a varied diet, both for nutritional and psychological reasons. A varied diet is essential for good health. Different types of foods contain different types of nutrients. And following a varied diet is important to your psychological well being as-well. Because feeling deprived of your favorite foods can lead you to give up your healthy diet.
Choose foods from the five major food groups everyday
It is important for everyone to eat foods from the five major food groups each and everyday:
• grains,
• vegetables,
• fruits,
• milk and dairy,
• meat and beans.
Each of these food groups contains specific nutrients. It is important to eat a combination of these foods to ensure proper levels of nutrition. Of course simply choosing foods from the five food groups is not enough. Choosing the best foods from within each group is the best way to ensure a healthy diet. For instance, choosing healthy, lean meats is a great way to get the protein you need without consuming unnecessary fat and calories. And removing fat and skin from chicken is a great way to eliminate extra fat and calories.
Remember that good nutrition is a tradeoff
It is much better to continue eating the foods you like. But the key is to eat them in moderation. Instead of giving up that foods you love most, have them as an occasional treat. As with everything else in life, good nutrition is a tradeoff.
No matter what your reason for following a healthy diet, you will find that a good understanding of nutrition will form the basis of your healthy diet. Understanding how the various food groups work together to form a healthy diet will help you meet your ultimate health and fitness goals. Whether your goal is to run a marathon, lose ten pounds or just feel better, knowledge is power. And, nutritional knowledge will power your diet for the rest of your life.
Healthier food, happier life!
Follow Vaniday’s tips to live healthier and happier.
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