Make your habits healthy – try our
bite-sized tips for a body boost
1. Go meat-free
Eating less meat and more vegetables could
be the ticket to a healthier you. Vegetarians are 32 per cent less likely to
suffer from heart disease, according to findings from Oxford University. Aim to
have a few meat-free days a week for a real health boost.
Eating
less meat and more vegetables could be the ticket to a healthier
2. Ditch caffeine
Reaching for another cappuccino for a quick
pick-me-up? Caffeine picks you up only to dump you back down, so stop the
roller-coaster effect by cutting your intake to a couple of cups a week. Reach
for a mug of green tea or rooibos with milk for a healthier start to your
morning.
A
mug of green tea or rooibos with milk for a healthier start to your morning
3. Eat green
Leafy greens equal a happy body and a
slimmer waistline. These dark green beauties help to improve liver
detoxification by pushing toxins out of your body. Make sure you fill half your
plate with kale, broccoli or spinach at lunch and dinner for clearer skin and a
flat tum.
4. Drink up
Feeling hungry? Knock back a glass of
water. Upping your intake of liquids helps to keep cravings at bay while
reducing bloating. Make sure you drink at least two liters of water every day,
and opt for coconut water and herbal teas over sugar-packed juices and fizzy
drinks.
5. Shop smart
A well thought-out shopping list is a handy
companion when you hit the supermarket. Deciding what to restock your fridge
with in advance helps to reduce the temptation to fill your trolley with
treats, and keeps costs down.
6. Keep track
Logging everything you eat in a food diary
can help you to track your journey with food – and it will help you to make
healthier choices in the long run. Monitoring everything that passes your lips
may sound dull – who has time for that, right? But it could be the key to
cleaner, healthier eating. Looking back over what you’ve eaten each day can
help you figure out whether you’re eating for hunger or boredom. So, invest in
a small food diary and get scribbling.
Invest
in a small food diary
7. Eat breakfast
Yes, we’ve said it before, but we’ll say it
again – a healthy breakfast is keys. Loading up on the good stuff first thing
will help you dodge unhealthy cravings later. Researches by Imperial College
London shows those who skip breakfast are more attracted to fatty, unhealthy
food later in the day – and eat more of it. Make sure you start your day with a
tasty and filling brekkie. Try porridge sprinkled with buts and seeds or
scrambled eggs on wholegrain toast.
8. Boost your immunity
Put the pep back into your day with a diet
that’s designed to strengthen your immunity. If that sounds complicated, we’ve
got good news: it’s easy peasy! All colorful fruit and vegetables – especially
oranges, tomatoes and pomegranates – are chock-full of nutrients that will help
to boost your body’s defense system. Whip up a stir-fry with a rainbow of
veggies, throw peppers and tomatoes into salads or steam a side order of spring
greens and carrots. It couldn’t be simpler!
All
colorful fruit and vegetables – especially oranges, tomatoes and pomegranates
are chock-full of nutrients that will help to boost your body’s defense system
9. Fuel up
Whatever you do, don’t go hungry! Eating
every three hours helps to keep your blood sugar level on an even keel and keep
fat gain at bay, so make sure you fuel up sensibly throughout the day. Keep
healthy snacks like raw nuts, oatcakes and fresh fruit on hand to nibble on when
you need a boost, but don’t graze all day long! Try to stick to two snack times
per day.
‘Don’t go hungry! Keep healthy snacks
on hand for a boost’
10. Stop calorie counting
Totting up your daily calories in the name
of weight loss? Stop! Calculating the calorie value of every bites is not only
a joyless task, but it’s also likely that you’ll make less healthy choices 0
such as choosing low-calorie options, which are often full of artificial
sugars, over whole foods, for optimum health, aim to eat mainly complex carbs,
good fats and protein with lots of veggies and fruit.
