It’s easier than you probably think to live a healthier lifestyle. In fact, we know 10 tips that are actually doable and you can start right now. No matter if you’ve never tried, have started but given up in the past or in the middle of it right now, these techniques can help you at every stage of the process.
1. Replace Simple Carbs With Complex Carbs
Don’t listen to people that say carbs are bad for you. Carbs give you the energy your body needs to function at its best throughout the day. Without carbs, you will feel tired and fatigued much quicker. However, you should replace simple carbs like white bread, white rice and pasta, with complex carbs, such as sweet potatoes and brown rice. This will also increase the amount of fibre you get per day.
2. Eat Protein With Every Meal
Protein is essential for repairing muscle tissue and also used to create energy. Lean meats and fish are great sources of natural protein. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, there are plenty of foods rich in protein so you don’t have to rely on meat, such as chickpeas and lentils. Another trend that’s becoming more and more popular is to include protein coffee in your diet, a strategy that combines our daily addiction to caffeine with something healthy like consuming enough protein. Personally, I tried the Complete Nutrition brand and I loved it. This is more like a milkshake or smoothie than the traditional definition of a morning coffee which worked perfectly for me.
3. Don’t Be Afraid Of Fats
Again, just like carbs, fats are your friends – but only the good fats. Fats are a source of long-lasting energy and important for cell health and even fighting off disease. Foods like avocado and fish oils are full of omegas-3s that our bodies need. Virgin olive oil is also great so cooking your foods in it can give you a great source of good fats. Check out Keto diet tips from Healthline to see what I’m talking about.
4. Eat Lots Of Vegetables
Vegetables are the main source of vital vitamins and minerals. Having a wide variety of vegetables in your diet ensures you get most, if not all of the goodness. Try and get 5 servings a day. If needs be, blend them up into a smoothie and have them that way instead.
5. Reduce Salt And Sugar In Your Diet
Lots of processed and ready-made foods are high in salt and sugar. These can have a serious impact on your health such as high blood pressure and an increased risk in heart disease, so reducing your intake can help you live a much healthier lifestyle. When buying your food, check the labels and ensure they are low in salt (sodium) and sugar (here’s a great article on how to best reduce your salt intake).
If you find it difficult to reduce salt content, start by switching out your salt seasoning with other herbs and spices while you cook to experience other flavors. You never know, you may actually prefer it.
6. Eat Regularly
One of the best ways to love a healthier lifestyle is by eating regularly. If you skip meals, your body will crave more food, leading to bigger portions and over-eating. Breakfast is the most commonly-missed meal of the day so always make sure you start the day right and eat.
Along with your meals, ensure that you are snacking regularly too. But when we say snack, we don’t mean chips and chocolate every day. Prepare better alternatives like banana and peanut butter sandwiches (wholemeal bread of course) or trail mix.
7. Drink Lots Of Water
Water is the healthiest drink there is; there are no calories and your body needs it! You need around 1.5 litres of water a day but if you’re more active or it’s hot outside, you are going to need more to stay hydrated and be healthy. If you are finding it tough, take a water bottle with you to work or out and about (I have this one for example).
8. Have A Cheat Day
Yes, cutting out all the bad stuff from your diet is the best way to lose weight and get healthier. But practically speaking, it’s almost impossible – after all, we all only human. Are you really going to ask the chef about the carbs and fat contents of your meal when you go out to a restaurant? Unlikely.
That’s why having a cheat day as part of your eating schedule is great for a healthier lifestyle. You can stay disciplined throughout the week and then on your cheat day, you don’t have to feel guilty about finishing that tub of ice cream in your freezer.
9. Exercise Frequently
When people use the term exercise, the first thing that comes to mind is the gym. While this is great, it’s not necessary to live a healthier lifestyle.
Simply getting out of the house and going for a walk every day is a step in the right direction. Regular exercise is important for keeping fit and keeping your muscles working at their best. For example, you could start walking or biking to work, taking a stroll during your lunch break or just going out in the evening every night.
Regular exercise is also amazing for your mental health, something that often goes unnoticed. It will help you focus, clear your mind and boost positivity.
10. Start Now!
‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ is a very common excuse that people make when they can’t be bothered to do something.
The only way you can start living a healthier lifestyle is by starting right here, right now. Sure, you can start gradually and implementing just a few of these tips into your daily routine but the important thing is that you are taking action.
For example, for anyone that is not eating breakfast, scrambled egg on wholemeal toast is quick to make and very healthy. For those that don’t eat complex carbs, switch up fries with sweet potato fries and coat them in BBQ sauce and paprika. Again, simple but very effective.
A Healthy Lifestyle Is Just One Decision Away
It really is that simple to live a healthier lifestyle. These ten tips will help you get to where you want to be and encourage you to make better choices. You don’t have to cut everything bad out of your life to be healthy; make a few tweaks here and there and you will be counting your lucky stars you took the action when you did.
This article is contributed by Codrin Arsene @ Digital Authority Partners