Eating healthy can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! By following these seven simple steps, you can make real progress toward eating healthier and feeling your best. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Eat Healthy and Organic Foods
One of the best things you can do for your health is to eat healthy, nutritious food. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. If possible, choose organic foods free of harmful pesticides and chemicals. Eating healthy will boost your immune system and energy levels, leaving you feeling your best every day.
Holistic nutrition focuses on consuming whole, unrefined foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Eating organic and locally sourced items can improve your overall health and well-being. It is seen to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Consuming processed foods regularly can increase your chances of developing chronic illnesses such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. These foods often contain unhealthy fats, artificial ingredients, and added sugars. To avoid these risks, focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods most of the time.
Step 2: Shop the Perimeter of the Grocery Store
Most of the time, the healthiest food options will be found around the edges of the grocery store. This is where you’ll find the freshest fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. Processed food items tend to be found in the aisles, so stick to the perimeter for most of your shopping.
Step 3: Make Sure Half Your Plate is Filled with Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients that are essential for good health. Aim to fill at least half your plate with them at every meal. If you’re not a fan of cooked veggies, try adding some raw veggies to your diet in the form of salads or wraps.
Step 4: Choose Lean Protein Options
Protein is an important part of a healthy diet, but it’s important to choose lean protein options such as chicken, fish, tofu, legumes, and eggs. These options are lower in saturated fat than other protein sources, such as red meat.
Step 5: Incorporate Healthy Fats Into Your Diet
Despite what you may have been told in the past, not all fats are bad for you! Certain types of healthy fats are essential for good health. Aim to include foods such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds in your diet regularly.
Step 6: Cut Back on Processed Foods and Add Sugar
Processed foods and foods high in sugar can damage your health if consumed excessively. They are often high in empty calories, leading to weight gain and problems such as diabetes or heart disease over time. Try to limit these foods as much as possible and focus on consuming whole foods instead.
Step 7: Drink Plenty of Water Throughout the Day
Water is essential for our bodies to function properly. Ensure you’re drinking enough water by carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day and sipping it regularly. Shoot for eight glasses per day, or more, if you exercise frequently or live in a hot climate.
Incorporating Holistic Health Practices
One of the ways to easily switch to a healthier diet is by incorporating holistic health practices into your life. These practices focus on overall wellness rather than just weight loss. When you feel good physically, mentally, and emotionally, you’re more likely to make healthy choices in all aspects of your life—including your diet.
If you’re interested in incorporating some of these holistic health practices into your life, there are many ways. You can start by making small changes in your diet and lifestyle. For example, consider chiropractic care to improve your spinal health or alignment. Aside from being a natural, drug-free approach, chiropractic treatment focuses on treating the whole person. This holistic approach can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and promote overall wellness by aligning the spine and nervous system.
There is also acupuncture, where needles are inserted into strategic points in the body to help relieve pain and improve health. This holistic approach has been used for centuries to treat various conditions. This method is very effective in treating pain, anxiety, and depression.
You can also incorporate holistic health practices by making time for yourself daily. Dedicate some time each day to do something that makes you happy and relaxes you. This could be anything from reading a good book to taking a yoga class. Another great way to improve your spiritual health is through meditation.
Meditation and mindful practices have provided numerous health benefits, including reducing stress levels, improving sleep, and increasing focus and concentration. You can practice meditation by sitting quietly for a few minutes each day and focusing on your breath.
Achieve Optimal Health
Making small changes in your diet and lifestyle is a great way to transition to a healthier diet; you can start by incorporating holistic health practices into your life. When you feel good physically, mentally, and emotionally, you’re more likely to make healthy choices in all aspects of your life—including your diet.
