There’s no denying that many Americans are struggling to lose weight. Currently, more than one in three adults is considered to be obese and more than 50% of U.S. adults are currently trying to reduce their weight.
When it comes to losing weight, at least 50% of Americans say they’re unsuccessful because they don’t have enough self-discipline. Some try to set a workout calendar, but get distracted when it’s time to workout. Others try set up a meal plan, but might lack the time to cook healthy meals for themselves.
When it comes to healthy eating, everyone seems to have their own tips for what to do. Some folks might swear by a certain vegetable. Others might completely cut out bad fats or opt for eating low-fat foods.
It’s important to remember that eating healthy works differently from person to person and the key to healthy eating lies in finding a balance with eating different kinds of food. That being said, here are some tips for healthy eating that might prove useful if you’re trying to lose weight.
- Read the labels: If you’re visiting a local grocery store, you’ll be surrounded by thousands of products. If you’re looking for healthy foods, one essential thing to do is to read food labels. If you’re doing research on how to eat healthier, the Internet and your doctor will likely tell you what acceptable daily limits of certain things like sugar, sodium and fat are. By reading food labels you’ll be able to tell exactly what kinds of nutrition are in the things you buy.
- Drink water: One mainstay in healthy eating is water. If you’re feeling thirsty, don’t hesitate to have a glass of water. It’s healthier for you than soda or other sugary drinks and staying hydrated will help keep you from overeating when you are hungry. Many doctors have recommended following the 8-by-8 rule when drinking water: eight eight-ounce glasses every day, which works out to about two liters.
- Don’t skip any meals: If you’re a late riser, chances are you probably skip breakfast in the morning. This is a bad idea. Eating three square meals a day keeps your energy going and helps you avoid those midday lulls. It also helps regulate your metabolism and helps prevent overeating at lunch and dinner. By skipping meals, your blood sugar levels may dip and you might feel sluggish and tired at a time when you really can’t afford to be.
- Don’t be afraid to snack: When you’re focused on healthy eating, you may think that you can only stick to three meals a day. Fortunately, you don’t have to be that rigid. It’s quite alright to have a snack in between meals. If you’re trying to eat healthy, be mindful of what kind of snacks you’re eating. Keep things like nuts and fruit handy to give you an energy boost. Tearing into a chocolate bar might feel good for a few minutes, but it’s likely going to leave you feeling tired.
- Treat yourself: If you’re trying to get into healthy eating, you might be tempted to quick all your favorite salty and fatty foods cold turkey. Scaling back the amount of high-fat foods you eat is a good step, but don’t be afraid to treat yourself every now and then. Allowing yourself to have a piece of cake or a bowl of chips or a bowl of ice cream now and then will help you from feeling like you’re deprived and will keep you from binge-eating those things.
- Go Mediterranean: If you’re looking for a diet plan for healthy eating, one of the most common diets is the Mediterranean. That means loading up your plate with fresh vegetables, fish, olive oil and other heart-healthy foods that are Mediterranean staples.
There are many possibilities and diets to choose from if you’re trying to eat healthier. The key is finding a balance between different types of food and keeping to a routine where you’re cooking healthy meals for yourself or seeking out healthy food to eat. Established a routine and sticking to it will help you eat healthier and keep you from overeating and feeling terrible.