Thursday, April 12, 2012

Nutrition Tips and Guide for Healthy Living and Weight Loss

Before you jump on the bandwagon of healthy eating, you need to understand a few minute details. Reading these details will make your effort less of a fight and more of an interesting activity. You are going to love it for sure! Read on to discover the most motivating path to healthy living.

Each game has some rules, and healthy eating is no different from any of the other games that you have played. So what are the rules of this game?

Rules for Eating Healthy

This game has a set of seven main rules which can make you a winner. And you know what? They are really very simple and easy to follow

Rule 1 Watch Your Portions

Each game restricts you with certain limitations, right? You can't just have everything. No, no, we're not asking you to forget all the chocolates, cookies, doughnuts, ice creams and other goodies that you can't even imagine living without. All you have to do is to limit their intake. You have to watch the serving size of each meal that you eat. Reducing the serving portion keeps you fit in your clothes comfortably. You will not have to buy another pair of jeans every month. Keep reminding yourself to eat everything, but in small bites.

Rule 2 Eat Four to Six Small Meals in a Day

Does that provide any relief? Phew! Watch your food portion and you can now eat at least four to six meals in a day instead of the traditional three meals a day. Research shows that three meals a day bring hunger pangs frequently. So why give in to cravings and finish that jumbo size potato chips bag in one go? Eat when you feel hungry, but do watch the size of what you are eating.

Rule 3 Eat Protein at Each Meal and Snacks

Don't just indulge in the large ice cream box that you have purchased to eat in your breaks. Make some healthy choices. Cut down sugar and add more protein to your diet. Proteins keep you fueled through out the day. They provide the energy that your body needs to function actively. On the other hand, sugar suppresses your immune system, upsets the mineral relationships in your body and causes hyperactivity or anxiety. It can provide an immediate satisfaction to your hunger pangs, but it will leave you feeling hungry again soon. Do you still want to eat sugary treats? Stop. Choose protein as an alternate and stay energized

Rule 4 Eat Veggies and Eat More Veggies

Perhaps you have heard your nutrition counselor say this repetitively on each visit. This only re-emphasizes that those bright colored veggies which you avoid are actually good for your health. Broccoli, spinach, and other vegetables may not taste yummy, but think about the nutrients that they contain. Vegetables are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, all of which are essential for growth, and the repair and maintenance of your body. When you add veggies to your diet, you get a variety of health benefits. You have lower levels of cholesterol and a healthy weight.

Eating vegetables guarantees strength, energy and a healthy life which includes minimal chances of heart diseases, strokes, diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses.

Yet that isn't all. Replace processed food with fresh vegetables, and you will notice clearer skin, brighter eyes, shinier hair and stronger teeth.

Rule 5 Drink Your Water

The human body is made up of 60 percent water. Your body gets dehydrated by the various functions that it is required to perform. Can't believe it? Well, your lungs expel approximately two to four cups of water each day through normal breathing. If you sweat a lot, you will end up losing more water, and that needs to be replenished because joints need to remain lubricated and your kidneys need clean water to function properly.

When your body is dehydrated, you feel tired and dull. Sometimes, you wrongly interpret it as a sign of hunger. Instead of eating, you should be paying attention to how many glasses you are drinking in a day.

Drinking adequate amounts of water can drastically increase your energy level, sharpen your mental and physical performance, improve your skin's texture and reduce wrinkles. It also fosters weight loss. What more do you want? So, whether you are working or just watching television, always keep a bottle or glass of water near you.

Rule 6 Plan Success in Advance

Has anyone ever accomplished success without planning it? No. In any challenge, your opponent is always planning in his head what his next move is going to be. Though you don't have any visible opponents in this case, you are fighting your own whims. And it is very easy to fail when facing them.

So, in order to make sure that your efforts don't go to waste, you will have to do some prior planning. Before stepping in the kitchen to grab any food that can satisfy your hunger, plan what you must eat. List down your food choices a night earlier, search on the Internet for delicious recipes, and head on to the kitchen the next morning.

Planning ahead makes it easier for you to follow a healthy routine and also fit in those delicious small bites of your favorite foods that you are required to eat in petite proportions.

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