Eat Right and Be Healthy
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a great source of tips to get you started on a better and more balanced diet. For starters, the academy advises eating a healthy breakfast that consists of lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Other important guidelines to follow for healthy eating habits include making sure your plate is half-full with fruits and vegetables, watching portion sizes, eating seafood twice a week, cutting back on sugars, and drinking more water.
Varying your protein routine is essential to a healthy lifestyle, and the academy advises mixing it up with seafood, beans, peas, unsalted nuts and seeds, soy products, eggs, lean meats, and poultry. An easy fix to healthier eating is to choose vegetable oils instead of butter and oil-based sauces and choose fat-free milk and yogurt to cut back on saturated fat.
If you’re strapped for cash, it might be tempting to go the unhealthy route. But eating right doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Purchase foods in bulk — it’s cheaper — and make a large batch by doubling a recipe so that extra portions can be saved for lunches and snacks. Shopping for fruits and vegetables that are in season is a good way to save some money because those foods are typically cheaper, and sometimes canned or frozen produce is less expensive than fresh. Just make sure to look for “low sodium” or “no salt added” on the label.
The internet is full of healthy, delicious recipes that will make eating better and less boring. Check out Cooking Light for hundreds of healthy recipes, ranging from chicken dishes to pasta, which may inspire you to make smart nutrition decisions.