We've all heard the saying, "You are what you eat." It's a simple statement, but it has a lot of truth to it. If you want to be healthy, you need to make healthy eating habits a priority. Unfortunately, developing healthy eating habits can be difficult. There are so many different opinions out there about what is and isn't healthy that it can be hard to know where to start. 

 

Healthy eating is not about following a strict diet, giving up all of your favorite foods, or starving yourself. It's about making smart choices and moderate changes that you can stick with long-term. If you're ready to get started on your journey to better health, here are the five pillars of healthy eating that you need to know.

 

1) Eat a Variety of Foods: 

 

One of the best things you can do for your health is to eat various foods. This ensures that you're getting all of the nutrients your body needs to function properly. When you eat a variety of foods, you're also less likely to get bored with your diet and give up on healthy eating altogether. For example,  instead of eating the same boring salad daily, try mixing things up by adding different fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, or lean protein. You can also experiment with different side dishes every night. Instead of boiling rice on the stove, try searching for sweet potatoes in air fryer recipes. 

 

2) Limit processed foods and added sugars: 

 

Processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural state. As a result, they often contain unhealthy ingredients like added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats. These ingredients can contribute to weight gain, heart disease, and diabetes.

 

Added sugars are one of the worst ingredients in processed foods. They provide no nutritional value and can cause blood sugar levels to spike. So if you're trying to eat healthy, it's essential to limit your intake of processed foods and added sugars.

 

3) Be mindful of portion sizes: 

 

Portion control is an important part of healthy eating. When you eat more food than your body needs, it can lead to weight gain. But, when you eat smaller portions, you're less likely to consume too many calories.

 

It can be helpful to use a smaller plate when you eat so that your portions appear larger. You can also try using your hand as a guide. For example, a serving of protein should be about the size of your palm, a serving of carbohydrates should be about the size of your fist, and a serving of fat should be about the size of your thumb.

 

4) Make water your go-to beverage: 

 

Water is essential for good health. It helps to keep your body hydrated and flushes toxins out of your system. So when you're trying to eat healthy, it's important to make water your go-to beverage. Limit your intake of sugary drinks like soda and juice, and opt for water instead.

 

5) Be active every day: 

 

Exercise is an integral part of developing healthy eating habits. When you're physically active, you burn calories and improve your overall health. Therefore, it's important to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. You can do this by going for a walk, running, biking, or swimming.

 

Making these five changes will help you develop healthy eating habits that last. Remember, healthy eating is not about deprivation or perfection. It's about making small changes that you can stick with for the long haul. So, start today and make your health a priority!