The 19th and 20th centuries were famous for various diseases which were transmitted by bacteria and virus. This led to the invention of various antibiotics which helped save millions of lives. However, things have changed quite dramatically as far as 21st century is concerned. This century has become notorious for various lifestyle diseases. These are basically caused because of the kind of food style we are into. We are more into the habit of eating junk foods which are highly processed and full of saturated fatty acids and other such harmful substances. Further we have become very sedentary in our daily habits because of the nature of work we are into. All this leads to accumulation of fat around the various parts of the body leading to obesity and overweight problems. This leads to a number of health challenges. Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular problems, joint problems, arthritis and other such health problems are quite common and there is hardly any doubt the kind of foods which we eat has a major role to play. Hence we will try and find out how choosing some intelligent healthier eating habits which could certainly help us to remain in good health. We should remember that if we wish to change our health for the better, we should change our eating habits.
#1 You Need Not Give Up On Your Favorite Food Items
It is not necessary to give up the food which you like just because you are health conscious. You must however understand the importance eating in limited quantities and spreading it out. There are some celebrities who have been able to knock off more than 30 pounds just by changing food habits. Being too strict is something which could create more problems and lead to craving for food.
#2 Have A Good Food Plan
Many of us suffer because we get easily drawn into restaurant menu. When you are hungry even the worst of foods might look very luring and interesting. There are chances that seven out of ten times you will end up choosing saturated food. While there is nothing wrong in eating restaurant food, it is important for you to balance the meal with what you eat during the rest of the day. If you love steak and potatoes, there is nothing wrong in eating it during lunch instead of making it a habit for the night. You also must make it a point to include fruit, vegetables, grains, whole grains, nuts and seeds as a part of our regular food habit. By doing so, you will also be able to cater to your taste buds without damaging your health.
#3 Don’t Bother Too Much About Calories
Limiting calorie intake in your bid to reduce and manage weight will not work beyond a point. It will lead to increased craving for food and eventually you will find that your effort to count calories will go for a toss. What is more important is to find our ways by which you can find the answers to the question how to increase appetite without adding extra fat in various parts of the body. There are a number of such foods available which are high on protein, fiber and other such nutrients. Therefore at the end of the day focusing too much on calorie would at times become counterproductive.
#4 Focus On Fiber And Other Such Foods
Staying away from carbohydrates may not be possible but it would be always better to try and keep it to the basic minimum possible. The problem with our food habit is that it is focused totally towards carbohydrates and fats which is the reason for obesity and overweight problems. Keeping carbohydrates to the minimum level and focusing towards protein, fiber and healthy fat is something that should be given the importance it deserves.
#5 Importance of Prep And Storing
One of the most common mistakes which we make is storing vegetables and fruits as they are. A better option would be to go in for cutting the vegetable and storing them in containers which retain their freshness and nutrition. This is a great way to ensure that you get the right quantity of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients in your daily food. This in itself could go a long way in helping you to maintain the optimal weight at all points of time. We also will make it a point to use the cut fruits and vegetables as early as possible
#6 Importance Of Lunch And Breakfast
The old proverb “eat breakfast and lunch like a king” is something which we must always keep in our mind. It will go a long way in helping you to keep your body in good shape and exercise well during the day. Whether you are exercising in a recumbent bike or are spending time on the treadmills there is no doubt that you will be able to do it well only if you are eating the right food, in the right quantity at the right time. Our body is programmed in such a way that it asks for the best of food and nutrients during the first half of the day. Hence you should not deprive the body of the best of food. By best of food we mean food items which have the right mix of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and of course fluids. All these are better digested and absorbed by the body during the day. The stomach should be kept as light as possible during the night which will help a lot in repair works as far as cells, muscles, bones and other structures are concerned.
#7 Don’t Be Guilty About The Food You Eat
While there is nothing wrong in being concerned about the shape, size and weight of the body, many of us tend to become paranoid about it. In the process we start developing a feeling of guilt as far as our food habits are concerned. This is not desirable to say the least. As mentioned earlier in this article, it is important to enjoy and eat the food which we like and relish so much. What we need to be careful about is the quantity we eat, the quality we eat and the time in which we eat them. Avoiding favorite foods is not recommended as a tool for losing weight and being physically fit. What we need is eating what we like and also finding out ways and means to burn the calories.
Gregory is chief editor at ConstructMuscles.com. He spend half of his time on his blog while the other half on being physical fitness trainer. Believing in the great benefits of bodybuilding and fitness to the body, he has been motivated to become a fitness enthusiast. Stay Connected to him on Twitter.
