Healthy Eating Plans
Healthy Eating Plans aren't complicated once you know the basics. Plan ahead for a healthy diet.
Many people are unsure of what healthy eating means – so it is not surprising when you consider the variety of, often conflicting, advice given. If you are trying to eat more healthily in order to lose weight, you'll also need to pay attention to calories.
A healthy eating plan should include:
- Making smart choices from every food group.
- Finding your balance between food and physical activity.
- Getting the most nutrition out of your calories.
- Staying within your daily calorie needs.
A healthy eating plan should also include a good balance of
- Fruit & Vegetables
- Bread, Other Cereals & Potatoes
- Milk & Dairy Foods
- Meat Fish & Alternatives
- Foods Containing Fat & Foods Containing Sugar
By committing to eating better, you can reduce your risk of many chronic diseases – including heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and certain cancers – while increasing your energy and stamina. Healthy eating can even lower “bad” LDL cholesterol as much as low-dose statin drugs!
By developing your own plan for healthy eating, you’ll be able to expand your range of healthy choices to include a variety of foods, especially delicious vegetables, grains, and fruits that you may have previously ignored. This article provides guidelines and tips for creating a healthy, satisfying diet.
Eating smart: The first step towards healthy eating
Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”. — It's not just what you eat, but how you eat.
Take time to chew your food: Digestion begins in the mouth. Chewing breaks the food into smaller particles and mixes the food with saliva that contains digestive enzymes. Thorough digestion is key to the absorption of nutrients and to good health! Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite. We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of what is in our mouths. Reconnect with the joy of eating.
Avoid stress while eating. When we are stressed, our digestion can be compromised. Avoid eating while working, driving, or watching TV (especially disturbing programs or the news). Also avoid confrontations, serious discussions or worry during meals. If you feel stressed or upset, stop eating and relax before continuing with your meal. Try taking some deep breaths prior to beginning your meal, or light candles and play soothing music to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Listen to your body: Stop eating when you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eating slowly can help you get a more accurate read on this, as well. Eating just enough to satisfy your hunger will help you remain alert, relaxed and feeling your best, rather than stuffing yourself into a “food coma”!
Eat early, eat often: Remember this old saying: breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism, and eating the majority of your daily caloric allotment early in the day gives your body time to work those calories off. Also, eating six small, healthy meals throughout the day, rather than the standard three large meals, can help keep your metabolism going and ward off snack attacks.
