Ten Tips to Healthy Eating

Believe it or not, an effective healthy eating plan can help you lose more weight than even exercise. And the best part is that eating healthy is not all that difficult. You just have to follow a few simple rules to enjoy the varied benefits of health eating.

1.) Eat before you feel starved to avoid overeating.

As with fluids, if you only drink when you are thirsty then it is already too late. A handy tip is to drink a glass of water before you eat so that you don’t feel as hungry.

2.) Take small bites and chew your food properly before taking the next bite.

A great tip is to put your eating utensils down between each mouthful so that you don’t rush yourself. This will help you eat slower, allowing your stomach to fill up without overeating.

3.) Eat with your stomach and not with your eyes.

Let your body tell you when you are full, not your brain, as it will always want more than is required.

4.) Chew your calories, don’t drink them.

Beverages can add a lot of extra calories to your diet, especially soda or carbonated drinks. Even fruit juice is not always the best option, so rather drink more water.

5.) Eat your breakfast as early as you can in the morning.

This will give an early kick start to your body's metabolism. But no matter what you do, do not skip breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and a healthy breakfast ensures a healthy lifestyle. Skipping your breakfast ruins your body's metabolism which can actually result in your body gaining more weight.

6.) Be sure to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables with each meal to ensure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.

Greens are packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, vitamins A, C, E and K, and they help strengthen the blood and respiratory systems. Be adventurous with your greens and branch out beyond bright and dark green lettuce — kale, mustard greens, broccoli, Chinese cabbage are just a few of the options.

Naturally sweet vegetables add healthy sweetness to your meals and reduce your cravings for other sweets. Some examples of sweet vegetables are corn, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes or yams, winter squash, and onions.

A wide variety of fruit is also vital to a healthy diet. Fruit provides fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Berries are cancer-fighting, apples provide fiber, oranges and mangos offer vitamin C, and so on.

7.) Eat more fish.

Aim for at least two portions of fish a week, including a portion of oily fish. You can choose from fresh, frozen or canned, but remember that canned and smoked fish can be high in salt.

8.) Remember that chicken isn't always a healthy choice.

Many fast-food chains offer fried breaded chicken sandwiches on white bread that are actually richer in fat and calories than a burger. Grilled chicken is a better option.

9.) Cut down on saturated fat.

Try to cut down on food that is high in saturated fat and have foods that are rich in unsaturated fat instead, such as vegetable oils (including sunflower, rapeseed and olive oil), oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds.

10.) Minimize intake of the three unhealthy whites: sugar, salt and white flour.

All these three white products are bad for your health. Make it a point to reduce their intake as much as possible.