5 rules to eating healthy
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If you’ve lost your way a bit and aren’t sure how to eat healthy anymore, we explain how to do it without dieting.
From low carb to vegan to paleo and beyond, there is no shortage of diets to try. When there are so many options, it can be hard to know what to choose. But if you want to eat healthy and feel good about your body, there are a few things you need to pay attention to.
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Eating healthy without a diet
In order to eat healthier without dieting, you need to find eating habits that will help you long term. If you want to feel satisfied and full of energy, we recommend a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. That doesn’t mean you should never eat pizza or chocolate again, but you do have to find a balance between healthy and comfort food that works for you.
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Tip: Our Protein Cream contains 85 % less sugar and 3 times more protein than the typical store bought spread, and it’s just as tasty!
Changing what you eat
It’s not always easy to maintain the balance between healthy eating and giving into junk food cravings. Taking a day off of your healthy eating plan can turn into taking off a week. Instead of going cold turkey, it’s best to change the way you eat little by little. Here, we breakdown how to change your diet in the long run.
5 Rules to Help You Eat Healthy
Here are five effective tips to help you start eating healthier.
1. No processed food
Some processed foods are harmless, like frozen or canned fruits and vegetables (the ones without added sugar and salt), but many products are sneakily filled with things you might not want to eat. That includes ready everything from ready-to-eat salad dressings to bread, yogurt, and fruit juice. When in doubt, check the label before you add it to your cart.
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2. Look for products with short ingredient lists
It’s always a good idea to check the ingredients list on products before you buy them. The shorter they are the better—avoid anything with too many ingredients with complicated names. In many cases, they’re simply sugar by another name.
3. Aim to eat five fruits and vegetables a day
Though this information is nothing new, it’s good to be reminded from time to time. A balance of both fruits and veggies is essential to a healthy diet, so make sure to squeeze some of both into your routine whenever possible.
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4. Whole grain foods
Eating better is not synonymous with ditching carbs. You can and should eat carbs, but it’s important to opt for carbs that will give you sustained energy instead of a short burst followed by a crash. While refined carbs like white bread and pasta will result in the latter, whole grain foods are filled with other nutrients that help you stay fuller for longer, so you won’t find yourself reaching for another snack 10 minutes later.
5. Avoid sugary beverages
Hydrating is never a bad idea, but too many sugary beverages can definitely get in the way of your healthy eating goals. When in doubt, water is always a great idea, but if you need a sweet kick, opt for a low- or no-sugar option, or choose a sweet snack to satisfy your cravings instead.
Infographic
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Our conclusion
Eating well doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself. Maintaining a healthy diet is all about finding the right balance between healthy foods like fruits and veggies and comfort food like chocolate and pizza. It’s always a good idea to choose unprocessed and whole grain foods whenever possible as is drinking plenty of water, and choosing products with short ingredient lists will guarantee you’re eating exactly what you want.
Sources for this article
We at foodspring use only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.