If you’re struggling to maintain a healthy diet, it may be time to stop trying so hard. The easier you can make the shift from a poor diet to a healthier one, the more likely you are to stick to it and achieve your health and fitness goals whether you want to lose weight or simply up your nutrient intake.
With that in mind, here are some simple swaps you can make today that will vastly improve your diet and your health:
White for whole wheat
A really easy way to up the nutritional content of your meals is to switch from white top whole wheat. You can do this with everything from bread to pasta, and it will really help you to not only get more nutrients into your body, including lots of fiber, but also to feel fuller for longer, which is ideal if you’re looking to lose a little weight. You really don’t have to give up carbs – just make better choices.
Alcohol for sparkling water
Okay, so if you like a drink or two, chances are you aren’t going to be satisfied by this all the time, but even if you can switch out 50 percent of your drinks for sparkling water flavored with fruits and herbs, or maybe even non-alcoholic versions of your favorite beverages, you’ll avoid hangovers and the dreaded alcohol bloat, do your liver a favor, and generally be happier, healthier and more able to tackle your goals. You’ll be less likely to make bad food decisions as a result of being tipsy too.
Rice for cauliflower
Looking to boost your nutrient levels and cut down your calorie content at the same time? Instead of serving up rice with your curries and stews, serve up cauli-rice instead. It’s really easy to make – simply grate a head of cauliflower until it resembles rice and then you can either serve raw or saute in a skillet if you prefer it hot. It sounds odd, but it really is a good substitute.
Juice for fruit
Swapping fruit juice for fruit is an excellent way of getting that sweet taste you enjoy with a healthy dose of fiber and vitamins but without spiking your insulin levels. Fruit, when it’s juiced is easier to absorb, which can set insulin levels soaring and cause you to crash or feel hungry again soon after. Whole fruit doesn’t have this issue which is why it’s far superior.
Butter for olive oil
Although butter isn’t quite the devil we’ve been told, it may still be a good idea to switch from butter to olive oil where possible, simply because olive oil has been shown to have heart-protective qualities that make it a superior food in terms of looking after your health.
Low-fat for full-fat
A lot of people think the answer to good health and/ or weight loss is pre-packaged low-fat foods like yogurt and cheese. This is a total fallacy as, quite often, low-fat foods have lots of sugar in them to make them taste as good, so not only are they not as healthy as you’d think, but they can spike insulin and leave you feeling hungry again pretty soon after eating. Full-fat foods, on the other hand, are healthier and more satiating, which is why theta re a superior swap.
Time to start swapping?
