The Secrets to Maintaining a Healthy Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet and feeling good about what you eat can sometimes feel like a challenge. After all, with so many treats available out there, it’s difficult to make a healthy choice every single time! The truth is that many of us put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be healthy 24/7, and when we slip up we make ourselves feel incredibly guilty. Here, Wellbeing 365 explain that maintaining a healthy diet doesn’t have to mean that you’re perfect all of the time.

When it comes to healthy eating and making good choices, the most important thing is to find a routine that works for you as this will be more sustainable in the long run. In other words, it’s something you’ll be able to keep doing instead of giving up and picking up old habits!

Here are some top tips and secrets to helping you maintain a healthy diet, whether you are doing it to lose weight or simply just to eat more goodness in your day-to-day life.

Plan your food

Being prepared and organised can do wonders for your diet, so consider planning ahead when it comes to meals and snacks. A meal plan can be successful in helping you to keep healthier foods to hand and helps you to eat on a healthy schedule. 

By planning your food it also means you know you have food in ready and waiting for you, preventing you from eating something quick and easy that might not be as good for you. If you’ve been at work all day knowing you already have food at home waiting, it’ll stop you from day-dreaming about all the other things you could buy on the way home!

Be aware of your portions

Many of us probably overeat without even realising, because we don’t regulate our portions. It’s important to be more aware of what is classed as a healthy or regular portion size, and what you’re eating in comparison. Things like pasta and rice are very easy to overdo, which could mean you’re consuming far too many calories.

One portion of pasta is around 75g grams uncooked, while a portion of rice is 50g uncooked. Similarly, a medium baked potato with skin counts as one portion of carbohydrates. A portion of protein is equal to cooked meat the size of a deck of cards, or white fish that’s the size of the palm of your hand.

Eat healthy together

It’s difficult to eat healthily and stay away from temptation when you’re eating a healthy meal but your family are eating something else. Try eating all together and eat the same thing, as this can remove any temptation and helps you to feel happier about your healthy choices.  

This can remove dangerous food envy and stop you from snacking on other people’s dinners, which could lead to overeating!

Swap to whole grains

Choosing whole grains when it comes to pasta, rice, bread and cereals can make a bigger difference than you think. Swap out those white carbs for their whole grain version and you will benefit from eating more fibre and minerals that your body needs. What’s more, whole grains release carbohydrates much slower which can keep your body and brain fuelled for longer.

Swapping to these alternatives is a small change that you will likely not even notice, making it an easier decision when it comes to eating a healthier diet.

Don’t restrict yourself

By restricting yourself from eating anything bad, it’s likely your cravings will get the better of your eventually. It’s true when they say everything is better in moderation, so don’t be afraid to eat that chocolate or drink that wine, so long as every other choice you make that day is a healthy one! 

You’re allowed to treat yourself every once in a while so long as you are aware of everything else you are eating.