To follow a healthy lifestyle doesn’t always have to be “life changing” habits and extreme routines. Sometimes, a little goes a long way. I want to show you some small changes that you can make now. Smarter choices here and there can ultimately help you to reach your health goals: maybe you want to lose weight, prevent high blood pressure or just feel like you’ve got more energy!
Let’s take a look at how we can make small changes for BIG impacts!
1. MILK & DAIRY PRODUCTS
A small, easy change you can make is: YOUR MILK and DAIRY PRODUCTS: Change from full cream or full fat, to low fat/medium fat milk and dairy products. It won’t affect the taste or any nutrients -only difference is the fat content will be lower leading to lower energy content as well! BONUS!
2. FOOD PREPARATION
Food preparation is also a huge culprit of unhealthy habits, that we tend to overlook when trying to be healthier. Instead of deep frying everything in loads of oil, try to measure the amount of oil you’re using. You will be shocked to see how much you’re using. Limit that amount of oil; try various methods as well: Pop it in the oven; steam some of your foods; and even try pan-grilling it in little oil.
3. COOK AT HOME
Cooking at home rather and not eating takeout or at restaurants!!! At home, if you cook, you manage exactly WHAT GOES INTO THE MEAL and you have a lot more control over your portions. It will be easier to then manage the amount of sugar, salt and oil and so on that is being added. You can take control of the portion you choose to dish. PS: If there are any extras leftover after you dished up your plate - immediately put it into a container to keep it as yummy lunch for tomorrow. If it stays in the pan it might call you back for seconds….
4. AVOID ADDING SUGAR
Avoid sweetening food with sugar. Opt to slice a fruit into your breakfast cereal; or even rather snack on a fruit than to grab a chocolate! Roast pumpkin in the oven to increase the sweetness. The fruit’s sweetness will curb the sweet craving WHILE packing your diet with awesome vitamins, minerals, fiber and other good stuff!
5. EAT REGULARLY
Eat regularly instead of skipping meals: If you skip meals - your blood sugar will drop leaving you hangry and ready to eat 4 cakes and overindulge on anything you can get your hands on!!! This will most likely cause you to overeat and consume more kilojoules! So, stick to your eating patterns. Then, you won’t attack 4 cakes at all! But rather maintain a moderate, controlled intake.
These are the quick tips in a nutshell! Look out for more food swap ideas in the picture below.
Chuck away your old, bad habits and choose your way to a healthier YOU!
View this Food swaps video here: https://youtu.be/9Ez85BGVx0k