A healthy eating plan gives your body the nutrients it needs every day and can also lower your risk for heart disease and other health conditions.
A healthy eating plan:
* Emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products
* Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
* Limits saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars
* Controls portion sizes
Here are some healthy tips and guidelines when making meals:
1. Experimentation in the kitchen is encouraged!
Experimenting in the kitchen with different foods and different approaches to healthy diets will not only build your confidence in the kitchen, but also help you become more competent in foods so you know “how” to use them to fuel your diet. One of the biggest advantages of doing this is you begin to understand how your body reacts to different foods and different portion sizes; having this information can help you better tweak your diet for optimal results.
2. Get variety and make your meals colorful
You know that eating more fruits and vegetables can provide your body with vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health. But more than that, you need variety! Meaning, everything does not have to be “green.”
The color pigments in various vegetables and fruits represent powerful antioxidants as well as vitamins that can help fuel our bodies and our fitness regimen. When we add variety, we supply our bodies with other vitamins that we may not be getting if we stick to our staple veggies like spinach, broccoli and asparagus.
3. Eat regularly
Don’t try to skip meals in hopes of losing weight. Starving your body will ultimately lead to overeating and even unhealthy food choices.
