March is National Nutrition Month and, with so many unhealthy options out there nowadays, people are finding it harder and harder to keep their healthy eating habits on track. By dedicating an entire month to good nutrition, dieticians and nutritionists hope people can become more aware of what it takes to live a healthier lifestyle.
Since there isn't one magical diet that works for everyone, it's up to the individual to find exactly what works best - but that doesn't mean it has to be hard. There are several simple adjustments people can make to their daily lives to live a healthier life and celebrate National Nutrition Month the right way.
The goal of this year's slogan "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right" is to promote awareness around healthy eating and good nutrition. Eating right doesn't necessarily mean going on a strict diet, cutting out all of your favorite foods and eating clean. There are so many ways to add nutritional value into your daily diet while still being able to enjoy the food you eat.
"Making changes to eating patterns can be overwhelming," the U.S. Government's 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans report says. "That's why it's important to emphasize that every food choice is an opportunity to move toward a healthy eating pattern. Small shifts in food choices - over the course of a week, a day or even a meal - can make a big difference."
The following five healthy eating tips will change the way you feel and benefit you in the long-run. Hopefully, you will become accustomed to these simple and easy lifestyle changes so you can always live your healthiest life!
1. Eat A Healthy Breakfast
There's a reason we're always being told that breakfast is the healthiest meal of the day. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises people to eat a healthy breakfast every single day as a way to start off on the right track. A healthy breakfast should consist of a lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
2. Eat More Fruits And Vegetables
This is another no-brainer when it comes to healthy eating, but a lot of people have a hard time finding ways to fit fruit and vegetables into their daily diet. Smoothies are a great and delicious way of getting your daily dose of fruit in one shot. There are many ways to add vegetables into smoothies also without even realizing they're in there. Start off simple by adding a huge handful of spinach to every smoothie you make. While it may turn your smoothie a strange green color, you won't notice any difference in taste, but your body will still be receiving all the beneficial nutrients.
Fruits and vegetables also make for great snacks - and you can pair them with other yummy and healthy items like nut butter and hummus. When it comes to your meals, half of your plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables. It's suggested that you make two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables your daily goal.
3. Cut Back On Sugar
A lot of foods and drinks contain added sugar, which only contributes to empty calories without providing any nutritional value. By understanding the labels on food, you can eat and drink smarter by going for options with as little added sugar as possible.
4. Drink More Water
This might be the simplest and most important diet tip, but for some reason it tends to be the one people have the most trouble with. Cutting out all sugary drinks and replacing them with water can make a huge difference to your health. Taking part in a water challenge can be a fun and easy way to help you reach your goal.
5. Cook Lighter Versions Of Your Favorites
Just because you've decided to eat healthier or give dieting a shot doesn't mean you have to cut out your favorite foods. There are thousands of recipes online that are lighter versions of comfort meals so you can still enjoy the flavors without worrying about overindulging. Skinnytaste is a great blog that provides tasty low-fat recipes and alternatives to typically unhealthy meals.
