The Secret to a Better You Through Food: 7 Tips For Making Healthy Choices

Over 42% of the American population now qualify as obese.

How crazy is that?!

Tens of millions of people around the country are dangerously overweight right now. Their physical, mental, and financial health is suffering in the process. Indeed, according to the same source, the medical cost of obesity amounts to around $150 billion every year.

Something clearly needs to change.

Making healthy choices around our diet is a good place to start. Of course, you don’t need to be obese to benefit from eating healthier foods! Everybody wins when they improve their diet.

You lose weight, bolster your immune system, have newfound energy, and feel happier and more self-confident. Alas, making healthier choices isn’t always easy- especially when you’re caught up in bad dietary habits.

Thankfully, a little advice can go a long way to making a positive difference. Sound good?

Read on for 7 tops tips to help you start eating more healthily.

1. Don’t Buy Junk Food

Let’s face it, giving up delicious junk food isn’t easy.

You might have been eating cakes, sweets, chips, and chocolate your entire life! The very thought of them is enough to make your mouth water. The fat, sugar, saltiness, and richness of these foodstuffs make it hard to say no to them.

In other words, they’re highly addictive! And, like any addiction, most of us lack the will power to resist them. Having the right systems in place will help.

One particularly effective system is simply to stop buying these foods. You end up removing the temptation and forcing yourself to eat more healthily. After all, you can’t eat what isn’t in the cupboard.

2. Fill Your Kitchen with Healthy Snacks

Okay, so you’ve decided not to fill your cupboards with junk.

That’s awesome! But it’s only the first step. The next essential piece of the puzzle is to replace that junk with healthy snacks instead.

After all, you’re still going to get hungry; it’s vital that you eat something in order to sustain your energy levels. Having real and nutritious snacks around forces your hand! There’s no other choice but to eat the healthy option.

Good examples might include munching hummus and crackers, fruit, trail mix, nuts, and seeds. You’ll satiate your hunger and feel better at the same time.

3. Learn Some New, Quick, & Easy Recipes

Most people have great intentions.

They want to eat well. They intend to cook healthy meals, reduce their snacking habits, and eat a balanced diet. But then life gets in the way.

You get home late from work, the kids are hungry, and there’s nothing in the fridge/cupboards. With hunger mounting and limited time or energy, it’s tempting to order takeout instead. Fried chicken, burgers, pizza, and fries are the order of the day.

Stop that happening (too frequently) by teaching yourself some new, easy, and healthy recipes. It’s harder to justify takeout when you can whip a delicious (and nutritious) meal up in 30 minutes or so!

4. Educate Yourself

This point leads on from the last.

A crucial first step to making healthier food choices is knowing the foods to avoid! Many people simply don’t know what they should be eating. Others might not know how to do it on a budget and with minimal fuss. A few might not even know to care.

Whatever the case, try educating yourself on what to eat at mealtimes. Alas, this is a big, confusing topic, with lots of contradictory opinions.

In general, though, look to eat a balanced diet, with lots of plants, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and high-quality proteins. You’re onto a winner if you combine that with plenty of fiber (from fruit and vegetables) and a lack of processed foods.

5. Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough fluid is another core component of living a healthy lifestyle.

You’ll feel the benefits in everything from the health of your skin to your cardiovascular system!

The last thing you want is to get dehydrated. It leads to dizziness, tiredness, lack of focus, and all sorts of damaging internal processes.

Think about carrying a reusable water bottle with you throughout the day. Filling it up (and drinking it!) as you go should reduce the chance of dehydration. Remember to drink more in hot weather and when you’re exercising too.

6. Prepare Lunch the Night Before

Remember the importance of systems?

Preparing tomorrow’s lunch in advance is another that you can use to your advantage. Once again, it’s about making it as simple as possible to make a healthy choice.

Most of us are our own worst enemy! We need very little persuasion to take the unhealthy path- especially when we’re tired, unmotivated, and feeling lethargic.

When it comes to lunch, it’s tempting to leave your desk and grab something quick (and unhealthy) from the store/café next door. Unless you already have a scrumptious (and healthy) meal that you prepared the night before.

Suddenly, there’s no excuse to buy lunch. You save yourself the money and eat a healthier, more filling meal in the process.

7. Cook In Bulk

Making a big, nutritious meal for you and the family? Well, think about doubling up the portions!

You can eat half now and store/freeze the rest for another day. That way, you know there’s a delicious meal waiting to be heated up for whenever you can’t face cooking. You avoid the takeout, save yourself the dishes, and slash your expenses all at once!

Start Making Healthy Choices with Your Food

Making healthy choices with our diet is a key step to improving our overall wellbeing.

You’ll look better, feel better, sleep better, and be less susceptible to illness- just to name a few. Unfortunately, making those choices can sometimes be easier said than done.

Are you trying to live a healthier lifestyle? Hopefully, the tips in this post will help you do it. Search ‘diet’ on the website to read more articles like this one now.

Originally published at Trending Us.