Eating healthy is one of the best things you can do for your body.
Did you know that a balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce premature stroke and heart diseases from occurring at almost 80%?
Well, here is how.
When you drink the daily recommended glasses of water, eat proteins, whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables with very little to no processed foods, the lipoprotein cholesterol that is responsible for plaque to collect in the arteries increasing the risk of stroke and heart diseases is greatly reduced.
What also happens is, your blood pressure is lowered, you’re able to maintain a healthy weight and the levels of your blood sugar are controlled thus improving the health of your heart.
Sounds good right? The challenge comes in when you have to strictly observe these healthy eating habits.
To help you kick off this rewarding journey here is how you can do it:
Keep unhealthy foods awayIt is best to keep temptations away when you can. When your pantry and fridge are full of junk food it is almost impossible to resist. Replace your unhealthy foods with healthier options and plan your meals ahead to avoid bad food decisions.
If you live with family members who enjoy the occasional fried chicken and fries, request them to be mindful of your diet goals.
When you’re far from home and happen to get hungry, chances are you will grab whatever is easily available. And usually, that is junk food which doesn’t do much for you in the long run.
It is therefore a good idea to always have a healthy high protein snack option like a fruit, Greek yogurt, a bag of peanuts or some boiled eggs that can come in handy during extended periods of being far from the comfort of your home.
Be mindful of triggersWhen you find yourself craving certain foods, there is a likelihood you’re either sad, stressed, sleep deprived or in a social setting that is making you want to eat the foods you swore to stay away from.
Once you understand your triggers, you need to reflect and replace those habits with healthier ones by reinforcing them. This way, you will be able to arrest the urges before they get to you.
This is not easy especially if you have to fight cravings every day. To make it easier on yourself, have a game plan moving forward.
Think before hand of the meals you would order at a restaurant, plan a menu and always have some water with you no matter where you are.
Give yourself some leewayThe fastest way to fail when it comes to any diet is being rigid. Instead of giving up on your favorite treats entirely, you can look for options. For instance, instead of deep frying your potatoes, you can bake them.
Change your preparation and cooking methods to recreate your meals and if it gets too hard to stay away from certain foods, have them in moderation.