March is National Nutrition Month, which means there couldn’t be a better time to talk about the importance of nutrition in leading a healthy lifestyle.
Physical activity and a nutritious diet can help you achieve good health and lower your risk of chronic health issues and diseases. The foods you choose to eat directly affect your health, so it’s important to create healthy habits. Unhealthy eating habits have contributed to the obesity epidemic in the United States, but by taking steps to eat healthily, you’ll be on your way to achieving a healthy lifestyle.
Remember: it’s only as difficult as you make it! Here are some tips for easing yourself towards a successful road to health:
Keep Healthy Foods in the Kitchen
Eating veggies can be a hassle if you have to wash and cut them up every time you eat them. Think ahead and cut up a bunch of veggies for convenient snacking, or you can even roast them with spices and store them in the fridge for snacking. Dietitian Dana Magee says that it’s nice to have extra veggies cut up and on hand for making quick meals like paninis, flatbreads, or quesadillas.
Fit in Fruits and Veggies
Angie Hasemann, a pediatric dietitian at the University of Virginia Children’s Fitness Clinic and president of the Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has three tactics for fitting in the fruits and veggies. One: she keeps fruit in her car for post-work and emergency snacks. Two: She always packs fruits and veggies in her lunch to eat before her main dish. Three: She sneaks veggies in wherever she can, like onions, squash, and zucchini in spicy BBQ chicken nachos.
Don’t Skip Breakfast or Overdo Dinner
Too many of us have developed the habit of eating little to no breakfast, grabbing a quick lunch, and then overindulging at dinner. Experts have shown how bad that pattern of eating is for our health. Instead, load up early in the morning or at least at lunch so that you have more energy for your more of your day. You might be amazed by the increased energy you feel if you make the switch!
Carry Snacks
Healthy snacks seem impossible to find when you’re on the go. Bring your own, instead! Find some great DIY snack recipes here.
Don’t Deprive Yourself!
Author of the blog Dietitian on the Run, Heather Calcote, practices a 90/10 approach. “Ninety percent of the time I choose healthy foods, and I leave 10 percent wiggle room for celebrations, restaurant meals, and sweets.” She also recommends saving a small snack to satisfy your sweet tooth for after dinner so that you can still enjoy a nightly treat.
Work For It
In addition to making healthier eating habits, a healthy lifestyle also requires some exercise. There are countless ways to get involved in physical activity every day whether you have a gym membership or not. It can become a social activity for you or a great way to de-stress your life! Exercise is known to have positive effects on the body and the mind, here are some tips on how to stick to it and stick to your commitment to health!
Get Professional Guidance
Here at 360 Chiropractic, we take your health seriously. Contact 360 Chiropractic to learn more about our services.