Staying healthy isn’t as complex as it seems; it starts with something as straightforward as eating well. A wholesome diet not only wards off serious illnesses like heart disease and diabetes, but it also helps those with these conditions manage them better. Healthy eating can look different for everyone, but the goal is the same: regularly eat foods and drinks that give our bodies the nutrients they need to work well. But how can you make this a lifelong habit? Let’s look at some proven strategies.
Understanding Nutrition
Eating nutritiously is the key to good health. This means choosing food that’s high in important vitamins and minerals and keeping an eye on fat intake. High-fiber foods are a good choice for many of us, and everyone can benefit from eating five portions of fruits and veggies every day. Good nutrition also involves being aware of serving sizes to avoid eating more calories than you need.
Making Smart Choices
Balanced eating and regular exercise are the main building blocks of good health. However, try to avoid trendy diets that promise quick results but are hard to stick with and can be risky. Instead, eat sustainably, with nutritious options like roti. Knowing the calorie content of foods like roti can help.
Time to Change Your Diet?
If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, it might be time to talk with a healthcare professional about your eating habits:
1. Has your doctor mentioned any health scares or risk factors, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels?
2. Has your doctor suggested that eating better could improve your health?
3. Are there any genetic diseases, like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or osteoporosis, in your family?
4. Have you gained weight over the years or are you currently overweight?
5. Are you unsure of what kind of food you should eat or whether you should take dietary supplements?
6. Do you think talking to a nutritionist could be helpful?
The Road to Better Health: 3 Health-Boosting Tips
Shifting to healthier eating habits can be tricky, but it’s achievable if you make slow changes. Also, if you have any health issues affected by your diet, like kidney disease, lactose intolerance, or celiac disease, these changes become crucial. Here are some useful steps to improve your health, but remember to check in with your healthcare professional and track your progress:
1. Review your diet: Are you eating 4-5 servings of fruits and veggies daily? Do you get enough calcium? Do whole grains and high-fiber foods feature in your diet? If you’re doing well here, great! If not, try adding more of these foods to your meals.
2. Keep a food and drink journal: This can offer insights into your diet and show where changes might be needed.
3. Consider getting advice from a registered dietitian: They can make personal diet suggestions, especially if you have specific health concerns.
Cutting down on Unhealthy Fats
Limiting unhealthy fats is a great step towards healthier eating. If you’re used to a high-fat diet, consider these changes:
1. Cook meat by baking, grilling, or broiling instead of frying. Also, remove the skin from your poultry before cooking, and try to eat fish once a week.
2. Cut down on added fats like butter on bread or fatty salad dressings. Try low-fat or fat-free alternatives.
3. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
4. Get used to reading food labels before buying. If you’re unsure how to read them, ask your healthcare provider or dietitian for help.
5. When eating out, be mindful of hidden fats and large portion sizes.
Staying Properly Hydrated
It’s vital to stay hydrated for good health. Choose low- or zero-calorie drinks like water or tea. Sweet drinks like fruit juices, sodas, and sweetened milk can add unnecessary sugar and calories to your diet.
Main Points to Remember
There’s no quick fix for improving nutrition. A varied diet of whole foods tends to be the most beneficial. Be wary of diet plans or products that seem too easy or promise too much. Many people in ads are paid for their endorsements and often don’t mention potential side effects or the chance of gaining back lost weight. In the end, set realistic diet goals. Whether it’s cutting out unhealthy fats or slowly changing your diet, your health should be your top priority. It’s a journey worth taking.
By Anamika Singh: Content marketer at Rotimatic, mother of two, homecook, and book lover. Known for practical insights on topics like parenting, cooking, and home maintenance.
