Healthy Living

Purchasers generally blame merchandising and the food industry for their bad diets and weight issues. All the same, the fact is that you’ve got control over your diet, and your own food intake is your choice and your choice alone. This statement on its own is empowering.

This brief article provides a number of sensible suggestions for changing your diet and also your outlook on life, so you can eat a healthy diet, promoting an overall well-balanced lifestyle.

Just what is healthy living?

Healthy living is a commitment to altering every facet of your lifestyle to the extent needed to bring about your specific health targets. To put it differently, it’s a holistic, long-term technique, plus a positive mental attitude.

It is not about fad diets or focusing on a single problem area (like unwanted fat) in isolation. It is only when you start to consider the bigger picture (e.g. a balanced food plan, regular physical exercise, intake of water, nutrient intake, food allergies, weight, digestive system health, metabolic rate etc) that comprise your own lifestyle that you can sort out a productive healthy living programme for you.

Healthy living plan

Everyone’s health living programme will be slightly different, according to their own personal situation, such as starting health level, medical conditions, weight, flexibility etc and it’s always wise to discuss any adjustments to your diet or exercise levels with a qualified health practitioner prior to starting (especially if you are on medication or are pregnant). But, bearing that in mind, there are a few broad healthy eating principles which can provide a little tips in the preliminary stages.

Breakfast

Start your morning off in the right way! A lot of us pass up breakfast on a consistent basis, but to get your metabolism started (so that you are able to burn more calories throughout the day) and to keep your blood sugar levels stable (and stop hunger pangs), it is vital never to miss meals. Subject, obviously, to any allergies or intolerances you might have (e.g. to gluten or dairy), select a healthy breakfast of, say, muesli, probiotic yoghurt and fresh organic fruit. Dust with seeds and nuts for an extra nutrient boost – linseeds, almonds and sunflower seeds are a fantastic blend. Keep away from sugar-filled cereals, which also have a tendency to contain sulfites – harmful additives which can stimulate asthma attacks in sensitive people.

For those who simply do not have time for breakfast every morning, please don’t let that stop you – no excuses! Have breakfast on the run by going for a top quality, nutrients fortified dairy free and gluten free meal replacement or protein shake.

Lunch and snacks

A great way to enjoy wholesome meals and snacks effortlessly is to buy foods that are ready to eat after opening or with very little preparation. There’s really no excuse not to eat well when there are lots of alternatives for quick and healthy eating. A few examples are low-fat deli meats, whole grain breads, fresh salads, fruit, nuts and seeds among other things. Numerous superfoods and superfruits now come freeze-dried, so that you can stick them in your desk drawer at work munch on them as a healthy snack food throughout the day. For example, goji berries (or wolfberries). These little berries are packed full of nourishing substances, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, such as essential and trace minerals, amino acids, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids and a variety of phenols associated with antioxidant activity. What else could you ask for from a snack?!

Supper

If you’ve put into practice the above guidelines, when you get to the evening meal you are very unlikely to be famished, which in turn means that you will be unlikely to binge or indulge in unhealthy snacks.

An excellent nutrition tip is to be more alert to portion size. A healthy eating plan is never about starving yourself; you should always feel full, as you’re giving your body everything that it needs. Yet, if you have a propensity to overeat, try to eat little and often. A couple of other helpful tips are:

– increase your intake of water – regularly people who don’t drink sufficient water mistake thirst for hunger. By drinking more and keeping yourself hydrated, it can help you feel satisfied for longer;

– drink a protein shake or superfood powder – not only can these help to make you feel full when your meal was just not enough, a top-notch protein drink or superfoods blend can provide you with additional nutrients and enzymes.

Benefits of healthy living

Adopting a holistic approach to healthy living, instead of trying to find a quick solution for problems such as obesity and digestive complaints, is helpful for many reasons. For instance, not only will it in all probability tackle your specific health goals, it will also support your general health and well-being.

A healthy body, receiving the full scope of nutrients, is much more likely to have a sound immune system. This consequently makes it easier to combat common ailments and other conditions, such as colds and flu, diarrhoea, constipation – and without having to rely on medicine.

Most people’s objective is to have as long and happy a life as they can. Equipped with the facts about your nutrition and health, and with an understanding of how different foods, drinks and chemicals can affect your body, you will be better placed to accomplish this aim.

Healthy living guide

Now that you’ve gained some understanding of healthy living, take another step to the new you – click here for a free healthy living plan and suggestions on dietary supplements that can help you to achieve your health goals!