Tips To Eating Healthy

One of the biggest challenges to eating healthier is finding substitutions for existing foods in your diet. Here are some tips to make the transition easier:

-Use mustard instead of mayo on your sandwiches.
-Select whole wheat bread over white bread.

-Eat the white meat of turkey or chicken, which is lower in fat than dark meat, red meat and pork.

-Start using lean ground beef, pork tenderloin or fish instead of high-fat cuts of meat.

-Change your cooking methods. Bake, grill or broil your meals instead of frying.

-Drink more water.

-Don't drink your calories. Eat a whole orange instead of drinking a glass of juice, for example.

-Serve sauces and dressings on the side. Dip your fork into the sauce, then dip your fork into the food. You’ll still have the flavor but with fewer calories. :-)

-Gradually switch to skim milk. Milk commonly comes in four varieties: whole (4% fat), 2%, 1% and skim (0% fat). Gradually wean yourself from the higher-fat varieties to the lower fat milk every two weeks. For example: continue drinking your normal 2% milk for two weeks, then move to 1% for two weeks, and then your palate will be ready for the consistency of skim milk.

-Order vegetables on the side instead of fries. Flavor them with lemon juice or herbs instead of butter.

-Snack on fruit and nuts instead of sugary treats. The fiber, protein and healthy fats in this combo will sustain you to your next meal and you won’t have the energy slump that comes after eating candy.

-Reduce your portion size. Most people will eat whatever amount of food is in front of them, so start putting your meals on smaller plates. You will be just as satisfied because your mind "sees" that you’re eating a full plate of food.