5 Healthy Lifestyle Tips to Eat Healthy Year-Round — And 1 for Making Working Out Fun
5 Healthy Lifestyle Tips to Eat Healthy Year-Round — And 1 for Making Working Out Fun
Eating healthy is highly subjective and can vary greatly depending on you, your goals and your preferences. However, almost everyone can improve the nutrient density of their daily foods while leaving room for the occasional indulgence. Whether you need a complete overhaul on your diet or simply want to improve on what you already consider a pretty clean one, the little things add up. (Everyone has a “diet,” and it shouldn’t be considered a bad word. The quality of every diet is what matters.)
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Eating healthy is really a lifestyle change and shouldn’t be considered temporary or a quick fix. There will always be occasions where we want to look our best for a special event, and during those times you can certainly focus on your healthy eating lifestyle more so than at other times. However, here are a few approaches you can consider adopting for good for a healthier, happier you:
1. Eat mindfully. Don’t eat in front of a screen, and pay attention to the nourishment in front of you. A lot of people think they’re too busy, but it doesn’t take long to fully enjoy a healthy meal. Enjoy the textures, aromas and, of course, flavors. Chew with intention, not as just another part of your multi-tasking life.
2. Feed your body what it needs. Food guidelines are just that—guidelines and suggestions based on average population needs. While it’s true most people benefit from drinking as many ounces of water as they weigh in pounds daily, or aiming for just as many grams of protein as their body weight, there’s plenty of wiggle room. However, if you want to gain muscle mass, you need more protein and BCAAs. Consider your goals, including maintenance, and figure out what nutrition you need to achieve your goal.
3. Prep in advance. Everyone’s busy, and it’s unlikely you’ll be able to prepare even one healthy meal per day every day. Dedicate a window of time once per week for meal prepping for the next seven days. Start with just one meal per day if this is a big challenge, or go all out with numerous meals. When you have prepared, ready-to-eat homemade nourishment at your fingertips, it’s pretty easy to eat healthier.
4. Recruit your furry friend. Maybe your dog isn’t looking to overhaul his health routine, but it doesn’t mean he can’t be instrumental in yours! Simple activities, like playing chase in the local dog park with your pup, can help add steps to your day. You might also go for a run together, or even playing tug-of-war in your own backyard. Of course, it doesn’t have to be your own dog. If you don’t have a pet of your own, dog boarding gives you the chance to get the health benefits of spending time with animals without the full-time responsibility.
5. Learn to read nutritional labels. Unfortunately, most Americans lack this skill, but it’s one you can learn. Understanding the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats, the importance of dietary fiber, the calculations to figure out net carbs, and what red flags to watch out for on ingredients lists (like Red dye 40) are all key to understanding what you’re actually ingesting. Labels shouldn’t dictate what you eat, but they’re an informational tool that can be useful when making healthy eating decisions.
6. Supplement wisely. It’s nearly impossible to consume all of the nutrients your body needs from food alone without dramatically going over caloric guidelines. Basics like bit d3 and Omega-3 fatty acids can be easily enjoyed as a supplement. Talk with a dietician and your doctor about adding other options like turmeric, cinnamon and magnesium.
Eating healthy isn’t something anyone can master easily. Everyone can and should have days that are better than others, and that’s okay. That’s what makes life so delicious! However, being mindful of what you’re consuming and how is foundational for not just a healthier you, but for enjoying your food even more.