Eating a balanced diet helps us feel better, look better, and makes our body work much better. Research shows that eating a healthy diet reduces risk of certain diseases including diabetes, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, dementia, and even cancer. Below are tips for eating healthier.
Avoid processed foods
Eat whole foods. Look for natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, and meat.
Eat whole grains
Eat more whole grain breads and pasta than white bread and pasta.
Don’t forget about dairy products
Milk, yogurt, and cheese contain calcium which is needed for bone health. Not all fat is bad. Limit fried foods. Good fats found in fish and nuts are healthy for your body.
Limit sugars and carbs!
Sugars and carbohydrates converts to sugars which have many effects:
- Increases risk of heart disease and high cholesterol
- Increases fat in your body
- Linked to Alzheimer’s disease
- Studies have linked sugar to depression
Drink plenty of water
You can control what goes into your body
Pack your own lunch and limit going out to restaurants and make smart choices when you do go out. It’s ok to cheat occasionally!
Make small changes
Small changes add up over time. Don’t feel like you need to change all at once.