Trying to eat healthily when there’s so much temptation out there is a difficult task.
Although maintaining a healthy lifestyle comes down to several factors, the food you consume plays one of the biggest roles.
Healthy eating is important for everyone, especially children. Eating nutritious foods helps promote growth and development, strengthens the immune system, and provides the energy needed to do things like play and learn. Kids who eat healthy foods are more likely to have good health as adults.
There are plenty of benefits to eating healthy foods, but it can be tough to do sometimes. That’s why, if you’re a parent, it’s important to set a good example by eating healthy yourself. You can also help your kids make healthy choices by providing them with healthy food options and encouraging them to get active.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive, either. In fact, there are many affordable foods that are packed with nutrients. Some of the best ones include fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, and lean protein sources. If you’re looking to give your diet an overhaul or get your family on a health kick, here are some of the things you should avoid.
EIGHT THINGS TO AVOID WHEN TRYING TO EAT MORE HEALTHY
Chips
Chips cooked in fats and oils are perhaps one of the most common foods to be linked with weight gain. As an alternative, eating whole boiled potatoes is actually very healthy and helps to keep you feeling full.
Sugary drinks
It’s a well-known fact that sugary drinks aren’t healthy. They are packed with empty calories and provide little to no nutritional value. What’s more, they can actually contribute to weight gain and other health problems. Sugary drinks, as their name suggests, are loaded with sugar, which can cause tooth decay and other health problems. What’s more, when you drink sugary beverages, your body doesn’t register that you’ve consumed any calories, so you end up eating more later on. Sugary drinks also contain unhealthy additives, such as caffeine and artificial sweeteners. These additives can have harmful effects on your health. By replacing sugary drinks with water, green tea or natural fruit juice, you’ll begin to feel and look better. Other healthier alternatives to sugary drinks, like Solstic Energy or Zambroza, can also help.
Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks contain a huge number of calories, and although drinking in moderation is fine, heavy drinking can cause several serious health conditions. If you regularly binge or over-consume alcohol, your liver has to work harder to get rid of the toxins, leading to long-term problems. Alcohol can also damage your brain cells, cause memory loss and make it harder to think clearly. So, if you’re looking to lead a healthier lifestyle, try cutting down or cutting out alcohol.
White bread
White bread is made from very fine flour which can spike your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause a host of chronic health issues, and severe dehydration, as well as damaging the eyes, kidneys and blood vessels. Try swapping your white bread for wholewheat or rye bread.
Ice cream
We all like to indulge every now and then and especially with summer now here, ice cream will become a bigger temptation to cool off in the heat. Unfortunately, ice cream is very unhealthy and high in sugar. There are however, a number of healthier recipes out there that will allow you to make your own.
Premade smoothies
Premade smoothies can have massive amounts of sugar in them despite being ‘made from fruit and veg’. If you buy a smoothie while out and about, be sure to read the label beforehand, or better still, try making your own at home with fresh fruit like bananas and strawberries, and your favourite protein powder.
Pizza
Pizza – like many other types of fast food – is tasty but can easily bulldoze your healthy lifestyle if you don’t eat in moderation. Pizza is often made with processed meats and sauces that are astronomically high in sugar. Again, homemade pizza is a much better alternative, and probably a much cheaper one too.
Pastries & Cakes
Cookies, cakes and pastries are all packed with unhealthy ingredients and added sugar. They also don’t tend to fill you up, which can lead to you eating larger quantities. Dark chocolate is a great alternative as a healthier (but still tasty) snack.
The worst foods to eat when you’re trying to eat and live more healthily are processed foods and foods that are super high in sugar. Although a treat once in a while won’t impact your health too much, it’s best to cut out the bad stuff, especially if your aim is to maintain a healthy weight.
A good diet lies at the heart of a healthy lifestyle. Making sure your body gets the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs remains a key part of better overall health and wellbeing.
If you want to get started on the path to healthy eating, there are a few essential things to consider. First, try to make sure that at least half of your plate is filled with fruits and vegetables. They are packed with nutrients and are low in calories.
Avoid processed foods as much as possible. These foods are often high in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. Watch your portion sizes. It’s easy to overeat when you’re not paying attention to how much you’re eating. You should also make sure you’re getting enough protein and fibre. Protein helps keep you feeling full throughout the day, and fibre can help regulate your digestive system.
Staying hydrated is also essential. Water makes up more than two-thirds of your body weight and plays a role in virtually every bodily function. Drinking enough water helps keep you healthy by flushing toxins out of the body, regulating body temperature, and lubricating joints. It can also help boost your metabolism and prevent overeating. The best way to stay hydrated is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can also increase your water intake by eating hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Finally, if you’re worried you might not be getting all the essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need to stay healthy from your diet, natural supplements can help top up any shortfall. Lily & Loaf has a wide range, so you’re in the right place – why not browse our full range while you’re here?
Check out these links to our product and collection pages to find out more:
Disclaimer:
Information and other content provided in Lily & Loaf blogs should not be construed as medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise. If you have any medical concerns, you should consult with your health care provider.
