We’ve talked a lot about how your diet can have a huge impact on your health and fertility. And while it all sounds well and good, sometimes making a long-term change like improving your diet can seem overwhelming or too hard to maintain. But that doesn’t have to be the case.
Even the smallest changes for the better add up to make a whole lot of difference. Take these 3 easy (really, I mean it, they’re not hard!) steps to change your diet and improve your health today.
Choose the right carbohydrates.
Simple carbs, like sugar and flour, are quickly absorbed by the body’s digestive system. That’s when you get the dreaded “carb overload”. Your body releases huge amounts of insulin to combat the overload and you feel like a bloated, tired mess. Not cool, so you want to eat these in moderation.
Complex carbs, on the other hand, are slowly digested by the body. They include whole-grain flour, hearty vegetables, oats, and unprocessed grains like brown rice. These foods are usually higher in vitamins and other nutrients that are beneficial to the body, and they are higher in fiber which will keep you feeling full.
Simply choose wheat or brown bread instead of white bread, whole wheat pasta instead of “normal” pasta, or even replace that side of mashed potatoes with a side of mashed sweet potatoes. You’ll be upping your nutritional intake while avoiding the negative effects of simple cards. It’s an easy switch but can make a big difference in your diet!
Adopt a healthy attitude towards food.
What are your eating habits like? Do you eat more when you’re stressed? Do you obsessively limit what you eat in order to feel like you’re in control? Sometimes we have an unhealthy relationship to food and we don’t even know it.
See food as sustenance. Food shouldn’t be about your weight, it should be about making you feel great. Try to evaluate food in terms of what it can do to keep your body healthy. Ask yourself if what you’re about to put in your mouth is good for you, and if it will help your body function as it was designed to.
Simply start asking the question “Will this help my body be at its best?” before you eat and you’ll be well on your way to choosing nutritious, wholesome foods.
Practice moderation.
Have you ever noticed how out of whack the proportions are at restaurants? It’s crazy! Do a little research to see what proper portion sizes are, and then make sure your plate at home looks nice and balanced. Don’t over-consume any one food. Instead, try to vary your diet so that you eat a little bit of everything in a moderate amount.
Some people might be great at giving up meat, sugar, or other foods cold turkey. However, most of us are likely to give it up for awhile, then break down and binge. Avoid this deprivation-binge cycle by allowing yourself to have small indulgences.
It may sound cliche to say “everything in moderation”, but its so true! You can’t realistically expect yourself to survive on kale salads alone forever. Where’s the joy in that? Indulge and enjoy in your favorite things–but in moderation. You’ll savor that chocolate even more when its something special you get to look forward to.
Eating a healthy diet is vital for the overall health of your mind and your body, and luckily it doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of great tasting foods.
Have you successfully changed your diet? Are you currently in the process of trying to eat healthier? Let us know what helps you and what your experience has been in the comments below.
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