Healthy diet tips to start today
Many people open the monthly edition of their favorite diet and fitness magazine, read some advice on a new diet or trend, and instantly go and try it out. Once they finish the diet and find out it didn’t work, they go back to eating as usual. They are so surprised to find out that they actually gain weight, but what they don’t realize is that fad diets will actually contribute to weight gain more than anything else.
If what you are looking for is to follow a healthy diet to lose weight, be healthy and improve your physical condition in general, the diet to follow is really very simple. There are some do’s and don’ts, and you will find that the following tips will help you stick to a healthy dietary pattern when trying to eat right:
• Although it may be easier for you to fry meat, poultry, eggs, and fish, take the time to find methods to cook them without oil. Eggs can be boiled, poached, or scrambled without oil, and other proteins can be baked, grilled, or roasted. Remove the skin from poultry and the fat from meat, and you’ll find that lean proteins will be the best for giving you the amino acids your body needs without the fat that would cause weight gain.
• Cut back on any extra fat you don’t need, like butter, margarine, creamy dressings, and sour cream. These extra fat sources can certainly make your food taste better, but they will do little to benefit your body and actually harm it by clogging your arteries. It is best to avoid these foods whenever possible.
• Any snack you eat should consist of fruits or vegetables, and you can eat as many of these as you like. Fruits should be eaten in moderation due to the high sugar content of many fruits, but vegetables can be a great snack that you can eat any time of day. Instead of reaching for a bag of chips or a donut, why not reach for carrot sticks or an apple?
• Be careful when eating out as there are many different foods and ingredients that will add fat to your meal. The large portion sizes you are served is one thing to keep in mind, as are the salad dressings you order. Try to avoid ordering food that comes with white bread and keep your orders as health-conscious as possible.
• Always check the Nutrition Facts labels on everything you buy at the store. If there are ingredients you don’t recognize, it’s best to avoid buying the item. The items you buy should be free of preservatives and chemicals, and should be as natural as possible.
• Be careful when drinking. Alcohol is high in sugar and fat and should be consumed in moderation. Sodas and juices are also high in sugar, and even low-fat or fat-free juices and beverages should be avoided. Only drink juice that is 100% natural, and water is the best thing to drink.