Eating healthy doesn’t have to leave you feeling deprived or unfulfilled. If you make this transition the right way, you’ll soon be infinitely more satisfied by the foods you consume. With the five strategies that follow, you can improve your sleep quality, boost your immune functioning, and enjoy higher levels of energy and better health all-around.
1. Add to Your Diet Rather Than Subtract From It
Before you clean out your pantry by tossing out all of your junk food, hit the store and add a few healthy items to your shelves. Although eliminating all potato chips, cookies, and other low-quality, low-value snacks makes sense, it can also set the stage for a full return to your former way of eating. When you add healthy, nutrient-dense foods to your diet in a gradual, steady way, you’ll eventually stop craving foods that don’t provide any real benefits. However, when reaching for your former favorites, cut your portions in half and a few new options in. For instance, pair a modest portion of potato chips with an equal portion of carrot or celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, or olives.
2. Use Spices to Ease Your Way Into Healthy Eating
Spices are an incredibly important part of eating healthy. Dietary additions such as cayenne pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, and turmeric provide some truly impressive health benefits. Even a small serving of cayenne pepper can instantly regulate your blood pressure. When used correctly, turmeric is believed to provide hundreds of health benefits. Pairing turmeric, black pepper, and a heart-healthy fat like coconut oil is an easy way to do something good for your body. Simply sear your favorite cut of beef, chicken, or turkey and a few fresh vegetables in coconut oil, and then liberally put your spices on. Take some time to learn more about the many health benefits that each spice provides, and then start using spices to refine your pallet and increase your well-being.
3. Replace Partially Hydrogenated Oils With Heart-Healthy Fats
Contrary to what many people think, fat isn’t bad for you. It’s necessary for cholesterol regulation, brain health, and brain functioning among many other things. However, choosing the right fats is of the utmost importance. When people attempt to transition to healthy eating, they’re often overwhelmed by cravings for fat. This is especially true when their healthy eating plans eliminate all fats. Instead of eating foods that have been fried in or made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, eat fats that your body can readily recognize and process. Go for olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, nut butter, grass-fed butter, or ghee. These are facts that will leave you feeling satiated and full of energy.
4. Look for a Quality Supplement
Supplementation is currently recommended for people of all ages and with good reason. Less time spent in direct sunlight has resulted in widespread Vitamin D deficiencies. Lower food quality resulting from mass manufacturing and modern agricultural changes have led to multiple mineral deficiencies and other nutritional problems. Supplementing bolsters the immune system. More importantly, in many instances, it can also make the body better able to absorb the nutrients from foods consumed. If you eat healthily but are unable to benefit from your better food choices due to poor nutrient absorption, a lack of improvements could cause you to lose your motivation. When supplementing, take the time to find the right supplements for your unique needs. To do so, you can request samples from major supplement manufacturers, work with a naturopathic doctor or nutritionist, or take advantage of trial offers and discount codes. For instance, with a Prohealth Longevity discount code, you can test out a new supplement without paying an exorbitant price.
5. Focus on Long-Term Gains Rather Than Short-Term Changes
Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to making major dietary changes. Changing too much at once often sets the stage for failure. Strategic, gradual changes will allow your palate and your preferences to evolve. With this in mind, don’t get frustrated if you don’t automatically drop large amounts of weight or experience massive gains in energy and vitality. Being consistent and patient is just as important as making the right food choices. This is also true with supplementation. Give yourself at least two to three months of healthy eating and supplementation before deciding whether the changes you’ve implemented are working.
Eating healthy is all about choosing foods that effectively fuel your body and prime it for optimum functioning. If you’ve been struggling with low energy, poor sleep quality, or weight-related health issues, your body will thank you for every small change you make. Over time and with the strategies above, you’ll soon find yourself preferring nutrient-dense meals and snacks over options with little to no nutritional value.