When it comes to weight loss and health tips, there is a mountain of information out there, and navigating it can seem like a daunting task. What is the real story on staying healthy and slim?
Eating less and moving more is a great basis for living a healthy life, but it is not the only thing you need to keep in mind. Here is a quick list of some weight loss and health tips you can actually use.
There is no such thing as “good” or “bad” food
A number of diets out there sing the praises of specific foods – think of the “grapefruit diet”, for example. There are also plenty of diet plans that spin certain foods as completely bad – like cake, pizza, and burgers – while pedalling the idea that other foods are all good – like quinoa, kale, and blueberries. The truth is that food is food.
Yes, it is wise to avoid processed foods and stick to fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains, but restricting your diet so seriously can sometimes do more harm than good. Moderation is key.
There is no such thing as a quick fix
There is no single diet plan that will make you healthy and skinny for the rest of your life. Fad diets might give you results right away, but they have no staying power.
It really depends on your body, mindset, and lifestyle. If you are looking for a quick fix, you are unlikely to find a diet that is really effective. You have to take the time to tackle the complex relationship between your food choices, activity, and weight loss. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Some foods are simply not nutritional
There are lots of foods that are really fun to eat but have no real nutritional value. Consider potatoes: they are chock full of vitamin C and fibre, but if you turn them into chips or crisps, there is a lot of fat and often lots of sodium. Another enjoyable food that is not particularly good for you is soda pop. It has a lot of sugar and preservatives and hardly any nutritional value.
Processed foods also fall into this realm. These foods are typically inexpensive and ready to eat, but they have a large amount of sugar, fat, and calories while offering very little vitamins, minerals, fibre, or protein. While eating these types of foods once in a while will not damage your health, it is a good idea to avoid them.
Staying healthy needs to be easy
One of the most important aspects of staying slim and healthy is making it easy to do. If your diet and fitness regimen is gruelling, you may abandon it for easier, less healthy options eventually. Your goals for health and weight loss should be for the long term. You should never feel restricted in your eating habits as this often leads to binge eating and giving into cravings.
The trick is to follow a well-balanced diet that allows you to indulge every so often. Each meal should be an opportunity to enjoy food while nourishing your body. When it comes to exercise, choose an activity that you have fun doing and you will be more likely to do it often!
