Tips for Healthy Living

We all know that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important. It’s also the best thing you can do to reduce the risk of heart disease, the #1 cause of death worldwide.    

It can be hard to break unhealthy habits. In our busy schedules, it’s easier to reach for greasy fast food or sugary snacks than to take the time to find healthy options. It’s also hard to find time to exercise. Plus, personal and workplace stresses can add to the difficulty of creating healthy habits.   

To help get a jump start on the New Year's resolutions, here are five tips to help break the bad habits:  

• Set a goal. Just deciding to “get healthy” isn’t enough. Have something to work toward, whether it’s a big plan, like running a marathon, or simply finding more energy to play with your kids.  
• Stop grazing. Plan the meals you will eat and stick to the plan. Stop and assess whether you’re really hungry before reaching for a (healthy) snack.  
• Get off the couch. Studies show that watching more than two hours of TV a day leads to consuming more high-calorie processed food and drinks. Take a walk, ride a bike, or even read a book. 
• Plan ahead. Having healthy meals prepped ahead of time and in the fridge or freezer will eliminate the excuse of choosing fast food because “I have no time to cook tonight.” 
• Assess your stress. Are pressures in your life pushing you to make unhealthy choices? De-stress with yoga, exercise, visits with friends, or whatever works best for you.    
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Also steer clear of these five eating myths:   

• Avoiding eggs. Eggs are actually an inexpensive source of many nutrients, and studies show they don’t contribute to high cholesterol.  
• Carbs are bad. Several major studies show that complex carbs found in foods like whole grains help reduce heart disease and lower body weight. 
• Fresh is better than frozen. Locally sourced fresh fruits and veggies still get the nod, but food that’s shipped a long distance can lose nutrients. In contrast, produce that is flash-frozen near where it’s picked preserves most of its nutritional content.  
• Don’t go nuts. Nuts sometimes get a bad rap for their high calorie content, but in moderation they’re a good source of protein and other nutrients, and research shows they help protect against heart disease.   
• “All natural” means healthy. The term is unregulated and means little. Take the time to read labels.    

In our busy lives, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be difficult, but the rewards are well worth the effort! Make the commitment every day to turn those bad habits into healthy habits.   

Sources:  

http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/eat-healthier-food-myths-you-still-think-are-true/