Eat more fruits and vegetables. This is probably no surprise to you: loading up on nutrient-rich fruits and veggies will keep your body nourished, your stomach full, and your heart happy. Generally speaking, aim to fill up half of every meal plate with a mix of fruit and vegetables to keep maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.
Load up on protein. Protein will help you feel energized and full for longer. Shoot for between 50 and 175 grams a day, and don’t feel that to hit your protein quotas, you have to load up on meat. Dairy, legumes, nuts, seeds, and tofu are all amazing sources of protein, too. So if you’re veggie, you should still make protein a priority in order to maintain a healthy diet.
Choose whole grains. Like protein, whole grains are superheroes in the world of healthy eating. They can help you feel satisfied for longer after meals and at the same time, fill you up on important nutrients, like fiber and B vitamins. When you’re eating breads or pastas, opt for whole grains over refined grains. And when you load up your plate at mealtime, aim to fill a quarter of your plate with whole grains.
Avoid processed, artificially flavored foods. When foods are processed, they’re stripped of their important nutrients. Those nutrients are replaced by sugars and salts instead—so the more often you fill up on processed foods, the more your body misses out. When you have the option, replace your processed meal picks with their whole-food counterparts. This will help you nourish your body better over time, curb future cravings, and maintain a healthy diet.
Plan your meals. Have you ever noticed that when you indulge in processed, unhealthy foods, it’s usually unplanned? That’s true for most people! On the other hand, the more planning and intentionality that you bring to your diet, the more likely you are to make decisions that serve your goals and well-being. That’s why meal planning can be such a game-changer. When you sit down, plan your healthy meals (potentially through a meal delivery kit service!), and stick to them, you tend to consume more nutritious foods.
Eat food that tastes good. No one said that eating healthy has to make you miserable! There are so many delicious, unique flavors out there, all packed inside of healthy, whole foods. A healthy diet is about supporting your whole health. So if you feel like you’re constantly having to restrict yourself and force down foods you don’t like, that’s not going to be a sustainable (or pleasant) routine. Make sure to keep eating foods you enjoy too—and keep trying new, healthy foods that you can add to your routine!
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