Tricks to eating healthy?

Yes! There are magic tricks to eating healthy.

Well… sort of.

It’s really about how disciplined we are on our quest to achieving those important training goals we set.

1 – Drink plenty of Water. 

We all know drinking water is important, but somehow we ignore our thirst. We have all heard the famous saying: “drink 8 glasses of water a day”. But how accurate is that really? There have been a lot of studies that try to quantify the amount of water you’re supposed to drink.

The truth is, there is no magic number. It really depends on many factors including your lifestyle, health, exercise, perspiration and climate. A better indicator of how hydrated you are is actually taking a look at what comes out in your urine.

It may not be glamorous to look out but it’s a quick way of telling if you have had enough water.

The clearer it is, the better. Dark yellow indicates dehydration, which can lead you to feel tired. It is vital that you replenish water supplies by consuming non-caffeinated beverages.

Also, water fills you up which may actually suppress your hunger. This helps with unnecessary snacking and eating.

2 – Ditch the soft drinks and sugary drinks.

Many of us enjoy the occasional pop now and then, however, pop and sugary juices actually are harmful to your health. A single can of soda contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar.

This amount of sugar actually causes an insulin reaction in the body, which can lead to diabetes. That extra 140-160 calories in pop can add up and also lead to unwanted weight gain.

Diet sodas are no better.

They contain aspartame (a substitute for sugar) and can actually be more harmful. It has been linked to many health problems such as seizures, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, diabetes, and emotional disorders.

Skip all the hassle and think of this one simple rule… “If it’s not natural, it’s probably not good”.

Seems pretty basic? It is. Humans do best when fed organic foods without many chemicals. Stick to water and organic fruit juices.

3 – Eat less portions and more frequently. 

Another rule of thumb, eat less but eat more frequently. It will really help with digestion and you will definitely feel less hungry throughout the day. Grazing throughout the day is the best approach.

Try eating about 5-6 meals a day instead of 3 large portioned meals. Try breaking down your breakfast into 2 meals – you can try having one meal earlier in the morning and the other later in the morning.

Try this with your lunch and perhaps dinner too.

4 – Don’t starve yourself. 

When you are really hungry, you tend to overeat at your next meal. Try to avoid this and keep yourself well fed and hydrated. Don’t rush eating either. Properly chew your foods and take time when eating.

You will feel more full and definitely enjoy your meal more. If you allow yourself to feel super hungry throughout the day, you will set yourself up for an unnecessary binge.

The bigger the meal, the bigger you crash and the more you crave for caffeine and sugar to keep you going. Eating to the point where you can no longer move will make you feel exhausted. To battle this, your body will crave for sugars and caffeine.

This cycle can be devastating to your health and promotes weight gain.

Graze and don’t be afraid to embrace food in portions.

5 – Snack healthy. 

Ditch the chips and reach for fruits and veggies. Yes, chips are technically vegetables, but when they are deep fried and seasoned with tons of salt, they may have lost their nutritional value.

Before eating packaged snacks, make the habit of reading the label and nutritional values. If a snack is greater than 200 calories, it may not be the most ideal.

The whole point of snacking is to allow your body to get through the day without feeling super hungry at each meal. Consuming too many calories during snack time may actually counteract all you’re other healthy decisions.

Look for raw veggies and fruits that can easily be snacked on throughout the day. Baby carrots and apple slices are a favorite and are a healthy option. The possibilities are endless! It’s up to you to be creative.

Remember; pack something you enjoy eating that is nutritious and healthy!

Resources:
http://wellnessmama.com/379/reasons-to-avoid-soda/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-53111/Why-eating-little-best.html