Tiips for eating better

If you're attempting to switch to a healthier lifestlye, consider these helpful tips.

Eating healthy can get you on a path to a healthier life, along with more physical activity. Before throwing out all the food you have and buying the new diet craze “must haves,” try some of these ways to eat better – now.

  1. Use the smallest plate that will accommodate the food
    A large plate begs to be filled; smaller plates can train your eye to serve up smaller portions.
  2. Switch to whole-wheat pasta
    Today’s whole-wheat pastas taste much better than their predecessors, and will get the health benefits from eating whole grains.
  3. Go vegetarian one night a week
    Vegetarian meals can help you cut back on saturated fats and increase your intake of fiber. Beans can also be much less expensive than meat.
  4. Brew your own cold beverages
    By keeping home-brewed iced tea on hand, you can more easily avoid high-calorie soft drinks and sweetened juices.
  5. Switch from whole milk to low-fat or skim
    If you’re already drinking two percent milk, see if you can make the change to one percent or skim. You can still get the benefits or dairy without the saturated fat and excess calories.
  6. Make your coffee “black”
    You can stop “drinking your calories” by forgoing the sugar and cream. If you can’t stand it black, try using two percent or skim milk instead.
  7. Eat fish one day a week
    Most experts advise eating fish – especially those high in omega-3s like salmon – twice a week, so designating a weekly “fish night” is a good start. Fish sticks don’t count, and neither does fried fish!
  8. Make your rice brown
    If cooking brown rice from scratch takes too long or gives you gummy results,try the instant variety.
  9. Eat breakfast
    If you’re not eating it every day, now is a great time to start. Studies show that people who eat a healthy breakfast are less likely to gain weight.
  10. Slow down
    It can take twenty minutes for the food you eat to be digested enough for the glucose to enter your bloodstream and your body to register a sense of fullness. Practice mindful eating. Pausing to taste and savor the food can give your body time to give the “stop” signal.

For ways to save money as you eat healthier, see “More tips for saving at the grocery store."

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