Old habits die hard. At the same time, building new habits is also a difficult path. The increase in the consumption of processed foods, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles have caused a change in dietary patterns in recent years. In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy diet is often easier said than done. To begin with, trying to filter through the variety of healthy diets to determine which one is appropriate for one’s system can be challenging. Even after spotting an eating pattern, sticking to that healthy eating schedule throughout the day has its fair share of challenges. The good news is that sticking to healthy eating is possible, and it doesn’t even mean you have to give up your favorite foods.
Also read: Healthy diet: an expert suggests what to do and what not to do to facilitate healthy eating
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There are many ways to adopt and manage a long-term healthy eating habit. One can opt for whole foods as they are packed with essential nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins, healthy fats, and minerals instead of processed foods that contain empty calories. More than the obvious risk of diabetes and obesity, sugary drinks can cause liver damage, aging and anxiety. Therefore, instead of drinking packaged drinks, you can consume sugar-free drinks, fresh fruit juices or infused water. Usually, when you’re hungry, you grab the first thing you can get your hands on. So keeping quick, healthy snacks in easy-to-reach places makes all the difference. The correct amount of macronutrients such as protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals is essential to developing a healthy diet. Eating off a large plate is revealed to trick your brain into thinking you’ve eaten less. Eating from a smaller plate helps prevent overeating. It is necessary to adopt the habit of counting nutrients and not calories to improve the quality of the diet. Adding more probiotic foods like apple cider vinegar, yogurt, and soft cheese to the diet also helps build the immune system. Similarly, chia seeds, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds act as nutritional powerhouses.
Choosing a healthy diet can be adopted as a way of losing weight. But eating healthy is more important in the long run than losing those extra pounds in a short period of time. Creating a healthy diet should also include foods and recipes that are not only nutritious but also enjoyable, sustainable, and conducive to one’s circumstances. Depriving yourself of the foods you love can trigger cravings and end up backfiring. Instead of giving up the unhealthy options you love altogether, try eating them occasionally along with practicing portion control. Maintaining a balanced diet while eating out can be very difficult. However, more and more restaurants offer healthier options. Conscious choice of venues and menu research can help maintain your diet while enjoying eating out. Staying hydrated is also extremely important.
A diet rich in vitamins and minerals helps with mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and attention deficit disorder. Self-monitoring calories by keeping a diary and using a smartphone or app to track daily calorie intake, weight, and activity levels is a smart way to track progress. One should not feel discouraged if new healthy habits take longer to assimilate. As long as expectations are realistic with a commitment to reassess progress, the habit will move in a positive direction.
Author Bio: Founder and CEO, BodyFirst
Disclaimer: This content, including tips, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV is not responsible for this information.
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