With new diet trends and conflicting research studies popping up all the time, it can be confusing and difficult to decipher what you should be eating to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It wasn't long ago that we were told to limit eggs and high fat foods. Now, low fat foods and sugar are on the hit list of foods to avoid. How do you make sense of so much information? Here are our top tips on eating healthy.
Whether you're trying to lose weight, gain muscle or simply maintain a healthy lifestyle, incorporate these core principles into your diet as much as possible.
1. Eat Mostly Whole Foods: That is, foods foods as close to their natural form as possible. This means fruits, vegatables, whole grains instead of refined grains, nuts, and legumes. Pro Tip: When grocery shopping, stick to the perimiter of the store and try to avoid the inner isles where all the junk and processed foods are.
2. Limit processed foods: The bottom line is that processed foods are full of additives, hidden sugar, sodium and other and unhealthy ingredients. Care for some Butylated Hydroxytoluene anyone? We get it: It's tempting to rely on prepared foods to get through our increasingly busy lives. So, what can you do? Pro Tip: Make Sundayyour meal prep day and cook easy make ahead meals for the entire week.
3. Avoid Sugar: Refined sugar is linked to a number of health issues and diseases including obesity and diabetes. While the occasional treat is OK, there are better ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. Try more natural sweeteners such as maple syrup or stevia in baked goods, and grab a piece of fruit when you are craving something sweet. Pro Tip: Reducing your sugar intake won't be easy, especially during the first few days. But as you eliminate sugar, your taste buds will gradually adjust and eventually your sugar cravings will be almost non existent. Best of all, your body and your waistline will thank you.