Whatever your motivation to be healthier – maybe you want to lose weight, sleep better, have more energy or save on healthcare costs – it can be difficult to put a plan in place and continue on that path.
Now that spring is just around the corner, perhaps you’re feeling more motivated to boost your overall health.
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Here’s what you can do to get on the path to a healthier you:
- Eat breakfast. This very important meal helps you start your day on the right foot. Overnight, while you’re sleeping, your metabolism slows down. Eating a nutritious meal in the morning jumpstarts your metabolism, helping your body to stay energized and squashing cravings. Make sure this meal is full of fiber and protein, like oatmeal or eggs.
- Choose whole foods. Whole foods – like grains, fruit, vegetable, and protein – are the best foods for you. Choose from these, and not processed foods (chips, crackers, etc.) and you’ll be making good decisions for your body and your health! The MyPlate guide is a good one to follow. Imagine your plate, cut in half. Fill one side with vegetables and fruit, and then divide the empty half into quarters. Fill one quarter with protein (like lean chicken, fish or beans) and the other quarter with whole grains (like brown rice or pasta).
- Don’t be afraid of fat. While fats have gotten a bad rap, they’re actually very good for you – if you choose healthy fats. You want to incorporate unsaturated fats into your diet, such as nuts and seeds, olive oil or avocados. They’ll help lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease. These fats will also fill you up, and decrease your hunger so you won’t snack in between meals.
- Choose packaged foods wisely. Many packaged foods are bad for you – such as frozen vegetables pre-drenched in butter. But some are OK in moderation. Read the labels carefully and avoid any packaged foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils, which clog arteries with trans fats. Here’s an example of a good snack: hummus with carrots or a slice or two of cheese and whole-grain crackers. That’s how to wisely use packaged foods to fuel nutrition.
- Watch portions. In an ideal world, you would cook all of your meals from scratch and know exactly what you were eating. But in the real world, you may have to entertain clients, attend networking events and enjoy social time with friends. And these kinds of events usually involve food. When you’re out on the town, opt for portion control when you don’t know exactly what you’re eating or can’t control the use of oils, healthy fats, etc.
These tips for better health will help you control your future. Taking steps to become healthier you will also help you keep healthcare costs down. If you’d like to ask questions about health insurance, contact InsureOne Benefits today.