With so many food choices, and conflicting information available on the internet, knowing what’s healthy and what’s not can be confusing.

It’s important to know, that eating healthy doesn’t necessarily mean to cut down on fats or carbs. At the end of the day, our body needs these essential nutrients to function normally.

Here are 10 general guidelines that every nutritionist follow and recommend:

1: Always start your day with breakfast

Breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism and gets it moving for the day. Studies show that people who eat breakfast weigh less than those who don’t.

2: Skip the fast food

Cutting out highly processed foods can be beneficial for your body in the long run, as it contains a lot of trans-fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar, and preservatives. Instead of indulging on fast food, prepare them at home using healthier ingredients.

3: Ditch the whites

When white foods, essentially “bad carbs” like white bread, white rice, white sugar, and white potatoes are consumed, the body releases a sudden spike of sugar in the bloodstream. This process makes you crave more food than what your body necessarily needs.

4: Eat veggies

Vegetables are lower in calories, great sources of vitamins and antioxidants, and packed with filling fiber. It helps you stay full longer, speeds up your metabolism, and aids in weight loss!

5: Stop fearing fat

Contrary to popular belief, fats don’t make people fat. In fact, fats release energy to the body to keep it satiated and also help regulate blood sugar. They are also known to give you powerful nutrients and antioxidants for cellular repair of joints, organs, skin, and hair. The best fats are unsaturated, which take a liquid form in room temperature. Healthy fats include, nuts, olive oil, fish oil, and flaxseed oil.

6: Don’t skip meals

Skipping meals will slow down your metabolism, and confuse your body when to start and stop eating. If you don’t eat enough calories throughout the day, you’ll be more likely to overindulge at night.

7: Carbs aren’t evil

Carbs are good sources of energy that help you absorb all the nutrients you consume. Ancient grains like quinoa and chia, are good sources of carbohydrates.

8: Eat until you’re full

Listen to your body. Make sure you chew your food slowly, and stop eating once you’re full.

9: Hydrate with water

The right amount of hydration helps the organs to function properly. It aids in blood circulation, encourages cell regeneration, and helps in absorbing all the necessary nutrients our body needs.

10: Enjoy your food

Because of the word “diet”, a lot of people think that healthy eating and food enjoyment are mutually exclusive. Instead of depriving yourself with foods that you like, work towards a lifestyle based on healthy choices that are going to help your body in the long term.

Start a healthy lifestyle today. Consult any of our nutritionists, and we’ll help tailor a weight loss program for you. Call us on 04 343 7987.