Basic Guidelines for Eating for Health

There is a lot of information out there about how and what to eat. Once we make the decision to prioritize our nutrition and eat for health, sorting through all that information can be overwhelming. Let us help. Here are a few key guidelines to keep in mind when eating for health:

• Do not eat unless hungry. Many of us eat from habit, boredom, loneliness, comfort, or for many other reasons rather than from hunger.
• Chew thoroughly; the slower we eat, the less we eat.
• There is a delay between eating and satiety or feeling full, so leave the table feeling you could eat more. It may be helpful to get a container that is about the size of our hand (this is the size of our stomach) and use it to measure meals. Remember, the goal is to eat enough so we feel sated, not stuff this container full until it breaks!
• Take breaks while eating to give your body a chance to evaluate fullness.
  
• Do not fry foods. Steam, grill, or bake when possible.
• Focus on eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, quality lean proteins, and whole grains.
• If certain foods are a trigger, don't buy them.
  
• Indulge with foods you love that are good for you, such as exotic fruits and vegetables. Exotic produce may seem expensive, but not when compared to the price of many processed foods or the cost of being unhealthy.

Natural Diet and Lifestyle Tips to Help Improve Health and Wellness

Live your life as if your health depends on it…because it does! Making healthy lifestyle choices is a conscious act. That means, everyone is responsible for the choices they make. Health does not happen automatically or because someone else wants you to make changes. We make healthy choices when good health is something we want and value.

How, then, do we promote good health once we recognize it as a priority? Here are three tips to get you started:

1. Food provides energy for performing the activities of life. Eating is not just something you do when you're hungry. Food fuels our bodies, because within the food itself (protein, carbohydrate, and fat) are the components our bodies use to generate energy, to grow and repair, and to fight invaders like toxins.

2. Balance your plate. Finding a healthy balance of food (protein, carbohydrate, and fat) may be easier than you think. Split your plate into three sections. Then, fill half your plate with vegetables and salad; fill one-quarter of your plate with your protein (poultry, fish, beans, etc.); and fill the rest of your plate with whole grains (barley, pasta, etc.).

3. Eat frequently. Skipping meals can lead to increased production of hormones that cause muscle loss. Eat frequently. Three small meals and 2-3 snacks daily are recommended.


To read the full-length article, Natural Diet and Lifestyle Tips to Help Improve Health and Wellness, click HERE.