How to eat healthily without sacrificing fun

Healthy eating is usually associated with things that aren’t much fun, like boring salads and dry toast. But slow and easy steps are able to make your experience better, smoother, and provide you with healthy meals that can also be delicious.

While we all know healthy staple foods, asking someone to completely change their diet overnight is a big job. It’s not fun either. But a few small changes can make a significant difference in the long run. Here are some tips that can help you eat healthier:

Eat slower

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Your eating speed is very important. The slower you eat, the faster your stomach will fill up. It usually takes your brain 20 minutes to process the signals that the rest of your body is sending. By slowing down your eating and chewing, you are giving your brain more time to keep up with what is happening to the rest of your body.

Research

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Research isn’t the most fun, but it can be. Even a little. Do some research on healthy foods and foods to avoid so that you have a choice. It is very difficult to eat healthily if you don’t know what to eat or if you just think that by sticking to salads you will lose weight and provide your body with all the necessary nutrients. Find a book on the types of foods you like or take a deep dive on the internet. Some basics are: Cut out refined sugars and processed foods, eat more plants, and drink plenty of water.

Start with breakfast

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Start your day with plenty of hydration and whole foods like oatmeal, fruit, a smoothie, or even avocado toast. And drink water before you have your coffee to keep your body hydrated first thing in the morning (our bodies become dehydrated overnight). And if you eat enough carbohydrates (we’re not talking about pancakes, which are high in fat and refined carbohydrates), you’ll feel less craving for sweets later in the day. If you start your day with a bowl of sugar cereals or something high in fat and low in water like bacon and eggs, the more likely you are going to get the afternoon crash we all fear.

Be careful with your snacks

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Snacks can easily turn into desserts, which is why it’s important to stick to healthy stuff without insane amounts of refined sugar. Nuts and fresh fruits are good choices, as are dried fruits (just make sure no sugar is added). Oatmeal, microwave popcorn (with no added salt or oil), and sweet potatoes are also great options.