Eating healthier or changing poor eating habits can usually be found on most new year’s resolutions. It’s a vow to eat less sugar, less fat, and less salt with a promise to eat more veggies, whole grains, and fish and cut down on burgers and second helpings.
In an attempt to start afresh for a healthier lifestyle, see the following tips on food changes for the whole family:
Start Experimenting Try one new fruit or vegetable each week. Find vegetables that are a lighter shade of green, a deeper shade of yellow, orange, purple, even blue. Let kids help find different fruit and vegetables at the grocery store to help them get involved in choosing healthier foods and ingredients. Increase your intake by preparing colorful, appealing vegetable dishes.
Make Sensible Swaps Plan to lower carbohydrate intake by swapping white pasta and bread for healthier whole grain. Fiber-rich whole grains and whole-wheat will keep you fuller longer. Also cut down on saturated fats by replacing snacks like cakes for nutritious veggie sticks and smoothies.
Learn a New Recipe Every Month Add one new healthy recipe each month and then continue to cook it for the rest of the year. By December you will have 12 more healthier choice recipes to add to your cooking repertoire and feel good about making for the family.
Eat Less but Eat More Often Avoid unhealthy snacking by eating regularly throughout the day. Stop eating three large meals a day and instead eat six smaller dishes, which is supposed to increase your metabolism and promote energy levels. Picking smarter snacks will give you the satisfaction you crave without the calorie overload.
Focus on Heart Health Believe it or not, eating heart healthy can be equally as delicious as it is good for your body. There’s a common misconception that anything described as healthy is lacking in flavor and satisfaction. The truth is, there are plenty of creative ways to make tasty, heart-healthy dishes like Pork Tenderloin with Warm Fruit Salsa or Southern Cornbread or Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts with Creamy Mushroom Sauce or more healthy recipes can be found: here.
Drink More Water Drinking 16 ounces before meals leads to more weight loss, a new study shows. Water might be so effective because, obviously, “it fills you up.” Drinking a couple glasses of water 30 minutes before a meal gives you time to feel fuller, which can help shape decisions about what you eat.
Start the new year out right with these health-conscious tips and recipes to help you on your journey of healthy eating and living.
