View Full Version : March 18th...... Easy ways to improve your nutrition


Dj
03-18-03, 12:12 PM
I know in my program of eating healthy, good nutrition is essential. It isn't enough to cut back calories or fat grams. I can end up with a lot of empty nutrition and start to feel weak-ish and have no energy really quick when I eat like that. This is a good article to help you on your way of eating nutritionally in a way that will enhance your health - not work against it!
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Improving your nutrition does not have to be difficult. A good way to start is with one of these suggestions.

• Keep a bowl of fresh fruit available. Place a bowl or basket of fruit on your counter at home and/or on your desk at work. Availability is everything. If it's there, you're more likely to eat it. **Something I do is wash my fruit as soon as I get home from the grocery with it. That way it's ready and waiting for me to grab!**

• Eat breakfast. After an overnight fast, your brain needs fuel to perform well. Skipping breakfast probably won't save you any calories, either. It usually just makes you more hungry for lunch or a midmorning snack. Spreading your food intake over the day (starting with breakfast) is the best way to burn calories most efficiently. **There are so many foods you can make into "breakfast" foods. It doesn't have to be a traditional breakfast as we've all been taught. Find something that's healthy and that you know you'll look forward to eating when you get up.**

• Plan ahead for routine meals and snacks. People who eat regular meals get a more balanced, healthier diet and are closer to their goal weights. Planning will also save you time. (See meal planning tips.) **If you think you don't have time to plan, think of all the times you've spent standing in the kitchen thinking "what am I going to have?" It won't take you that long to sit down and make a plan for the next day. Get in the habit of doing it daily and pretty soon you'll want to do it weekly or maybe even monthly. It will also save you money at the grocery store when you shop according to your plan!**

• Pack your lunch the night before. If you don't eat breakfast or pack a lunch because you rush too much in the morning, set everything up the night before. Create a routine that you don't have to think about in the morning. **Create a "bedtime" routine and you'll be surprised at how much easier and peaceful your mornings will be. And we all know that a peaceful, easy start to the day makes the whole day seem easier! Packing also saves you loads of money rather than buying your lunches. You have more control over what you are eating and you know exactly what you are consuming, too. There's no wondering about what "hidden" calories, fats or sugars that are in the food you are eating if you are packing your own.**

• Buy a healthy cookbook or food magazine. If you like to cook, this can help inspire you to cook healthier foods and meals. **I have a variety that I like to use. I also browse the net for recipes that are light and great tasting, too. You don't know till you try them, but I keep the ones my family and I love! It makes eating healthy a pleasure!**
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Lindasue
03-18-03, 02:13 PM
Thanks Dj! THese are great. :x

Maryse
03-18-03, 02:24 PM
Thanks Dj,

That is a great article. I can say that I do at least a few of those. I kept saying I didn't have breakfast, but now I figure that I do eat breakfast, just not the usual kind. I get up and wash up and go to work, when I get there I have at least 1 fruit and a yogurt right away then another fruit by break time. I dont have hunger pains either.

Maryse

Dj
03-18-03, 02:37 PM
Glad you liked it, Lindasue and Maryse. I found it pretty informative, too, and hoping to incorporate more nutrition into my daily eating.

Maryse, sounds like you are doing a good job making sure you get a breakfast in. I used to do the yogurt fruit thing when I worked, too. Good for you!

Corinna
03-18-03, 10:17 PM
muchos gracias on the info. :)