Smart Eating Tips for a Healthy 2013

Instead of jumping on the bandwagon and starting the latest fad diet, why not make a few gradual adjustments to your eating habits? If you make a couple minor changes you’re more likely to sustain your healthy habits over time.Start by choosing a couple of these tips to focus on, and before you know it you’ll be eating better than you used to.

• Make fruit and veggies convenient – Chop up a bunch of veggies at the beginning of the week and leave them in a clear container near the front of your fridge. If you see them every time you open the fridge, you’re more likely to choose them! Try leaving some fruit out on your counter as opposed to buried in the fridge; you’ll be more inclined to grab a piece of fruit if it’s right in front of you.
• Stock up your car – Leave some healthy snacks like trail mix, or low fat granola in your car; instead of hitting a fast food drive-thru, grab a handful of nuts to tide you over.
• Plan your meals – Plan ahead and buy ingredients at the beginning of the week so you can cook healthy meals; this will help prevent you from eating out because there’s no food in your house!
• Concentrate on portion size – Start by eating on a smaller plate. Studies have shown that people eat less on a smaller plate as compared to a larger plate. Try plating the food, instead of serving it family style from the middle of the table. If you have to get up from the table and head to the stove for a second helping, you might think twice about it.
• Make breakfast an everyday occurrence – Breaking your “fast” each day after you sleep gives your metabolism a jump start, so it doesn’t continue to store food as fat. When you skip breakfast your body goes into famine mode and stores food as fat since your body doesn’t know when it will get food next.
• Drink lots of water – Water helps your body function correctly. It can also make you feel full, so you’ll eat less.
• Participate in Meatless Mondays – This will encourage you to try other healthy sources of protein (such as beans and tofu). Without meat in your meal, by default you’ll likely consume more veggies.

Source: Benefits World