10 Healthy Eating Habits that May Change Your Life
We all get one chance at life, so we might as well live an active one in order to enjoy it to the fullest. Doing that isn’t hard either. By making small changes in our lifestyle and adopting healthy eating habits, we can find ourselves creating a world of difference in our lives.
But these healthy eating habits go beyond eating salads and fruits. Here are some habits we recommend adopting if you want to change your life for the better.
1. Avoid Calorie Counting
We have been told that calorie counting is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy body. But it can become time-consuming and stressful if it is done every single day for every single meal.
It is better if you focus on the nutritional value of a food item rather than the amount of calories in each one. Doing so ensures that your diet is full of healthy and nutritious food that can leave you more satiated and satisfied. This in turn enables you to consume fewer calories!
We love this whole food cookbook to give you some great veggie ideas.
2. Drink Plenty of Water
Cut out all sugary drinks from your diet and replace them with water (or unsweetened green tea). There are many benefits of drinking water, including improved digestion, weight loss, glowing skin, and more. This makes it one of the most underrated — and affordable — healthy eating habits ever!
An average adult should be drinking at least eight ounces of water a day. Or more if you lead a more active lifestyle, as you will lose water through increased perspiration.
You should drink some water before you eat, because it is common to mistake thirst for hunger. Water can fill you up, so you end up eating less during mealtime.
Why not combine your self-care affirmation routine and your water consumption with this super cute water bottle to keep you motivated!
3. Snack Regularly
Yes, you read that right. Contrary to popular belief, snacking isn’t your enemy. But don’t rush down to the store to buy a mountain of candy just yet!
When done with the right whole foods, snacking is one of the best healthy eating habits to adopt. That’s because it can lessen the risk of overeating and curb hunger.
Some healthy snacks you should get your hands on include veggies, hummus, nuts, dried fruit, and more. Even protein bars (those without artificial sweeteners) are great snacks to give you energy when you are feeling sluggish. They also help to keep your muscles, hair, nails, and bones healthy.
Here are some PBelle Picks to organize your Meal Prep
4. Prepare Your Meals
Ready to unleash your inner MasterChef? Research shows that by meal prepping beforehand, you will be less tempted to eat unhealthy or fattening foods.
It also makes you monitor the macronutrients you consume, which leads to a balanced diet with fewer calories. Plus, it’s much cheaper than eating out!
If you are caught trying to do meal prep in an apartment with a less than inspiring kitchen, these tips can help.
5. Don’t Give Up Your Favorite Foods
Just because you have started eating healthily doesn’t mean you need to give up on your favorite ice cream or chocolate. Eating is an enjoyable experience that you should be doing guilt-free.
Remember: Adopting healthy eating habits is a marathon, not a sprint. As long as you do it in moderation, you shouldn’t have to cut anything from your diet. In fact, trying to follow an overly restrictive diet is an absolute recipe for failure.
6. Use the 80/20 Method
Are you familiar with the 80/20 principle? In this case of healthy eating habits, it means you eat 80% healthy food and 20% unhealthy food.
So you could do that every day, such as including some fries or dessert during just one meal. Or you could reserve one day of the week as a cheat day to indulge in your favorite foods.
No matter how you do it, it is likely to reduce the stress and frustration from having to ALWAYS avoid junk food.
7. Make Lunch Your Biggest Meal of the Day (if you don’t eat breakfast)
Yes, most people say that breakfast should be the biggest meal of the day as it is the most important. Studies show that eating breakfast every morning is one of the healthy eating habits you should adopt. Because it can help boost your metabolism, increase your energy level, and improve concentration.
But some people just don’t feel hungry when they wake up. So forcing a heavy meal down could be counterproductive.
If that’s the case, you should eat the most during lunch (as opposed to dinner). Because this is when your digestion is also at its peak and you can feed your body when it actually needs fuel.
But a “big” meal doesn’t mean going all out to eat all you can. Focus on consuming protein and greens at lunch, not full-on carbohydrates unless you have time for an afternoon nap.
8. Drink Coffee
We think that most of you will love this one! When taken in moderation (i.e. not more than 3 cups a day), coffee has a myriad of health benefits. They include improving digestion, reducing diabetes, and lowering the risk of diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
But do take note that we aren’t referring to “sugary coffee” here. After all, coffee with extra whipped cream and sugar definitely qualifies as a sugary drink to avoid — except sometimes during a cheat day!
A French Press may be your best answer to inexpensive fresh tasty coffee from home.
9. Use More Fresh Herbs
Herbs are a cheap method of adding flavor to your food, and incorporating healthy eating habits into your diet.
Some of the leafy herbs like dill, spinach, and parsley are excellent sources of vitamins as well.
We love book – Here are 3 Great Cook books to Inspire Your New Healthy Eating Habits
10. Eat Slowly
In our fast-paced society, even eating has become a rushed activity. But eating your meals slowly is one of the most essential healthy eating habits to have. Because this allows you to pay attention to what you are eating.
Doing this helps your brain register that your body has eaten and is full, so that it won’t feel hungry as often. It is the same reason you shouldn’t be distracted while you are eating, such as playing with your phone or watching television.
Have You Adopted Any of These Healthy Eating Habits?
So there you have it: some of the easiest and most affordable healthy eating habits you can adopt. Perhaps you are already following a few of them!
However, keep in mind that you should pair these habits with an exercise routine and 7-8 hours of sleep every night. This will help ensure that you can lead a healthy and active lifestyle for years to come.
