How to Achieve Healthy Eating Habits

We could all improve on our eating habits. The healthier the food we ingest, the greater overall health our bodies will achieve. This is a proven fact. We, indeed, are what we eat. If you want to age better, lose weight, appear younger than your years and reach a ripe old age, you will want to commit to a healthy diet. Experts on diet and nutrition agree that we should all eat a variety of foods, not take in more calories than we normally burn each day and aim for a wide assortment of nutrients.

It takes a wide-ranging diet to obtain all the nutrients we need. Try varying your diet as much as possible, and including lots of whole grains and whole grain breads, an assortment of fruits and vegetables, beans and lentils, fresh-caught fish, dairy products, a small amount of fat and some red meat and/or poultry (if desired). Most people don’t get enough whole grains, fruits and vegetables in their diets. They eat too much red meat, fats, white flour products and sugar. This is the typical American/Western diet. It’s no wonder so many have degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Dietitian Joanne Larsen suggests we should plan to eat regular meals, especially breakfast. Always sit down at a table to eat and never eat in your car or mindlessly, while talking on the phone or watching TV, because you will certainly overeat or make undesirable choices. Don’t wait too long to eat. You should space meals 4 – 6 hours apart. Always shop with a grocery list and never shop when you are hungry. This will limit impulse buying. In restaurants, always ask how food is prepared to avoid hydrogenated oils and other unhealthy substances.