7 Healthy Eating Habits...from ACAOF!

A healthy diet consists of eating a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources and healthy fats.

A healthy diet is not about eating certain foods or avoiding other foods. It’s about balancing the food you eat with physical activity to manage your weight for an overall healthy lifestyle.

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If you want to live a healthy life, culinary health is important. The following tips will teach you how to create a healthy lifestyle that will not only help you lose weight, but maintain healthy weight management, and feel great doing it!

1. Decide the whole fruits and veggies you like and go all in! (Don't force the fruits and veggies you hate, indulge in the ones you enjoy!)

2. Grab your favorite whole grains/complex carbs. (Stock your shelves with your known favs be it brown rice, quinoa, couscous, etc. Even try gradually introducing new healthy carbs such as tobuli, and farrow with your trusted favs for a whole new exciting dish!)

3. Planning is caring. (The old saying is true- fail to plan and you are essentially planning to fail. Limit in attempts to eliminate completely processed foods and added sugars. Decide in advance your meals for the next day and beyond, if possible, down to the snacks and beverages for a winning meal planned day/week!)

4. Water, water, water!! (Don't just make it a goal to get in at least a gallon a day, but save 8-16 oz. to drink 30 minutes before each meal. Not only is this a shoe-in for great hydration, but drinking prior to meals has been proven to curve your appetite so you'll push away from the table sooner!)

5. Get creative...sneaky even! (Yep, fool yourself! A great way to get in fruits and veggies when time and desire is limited, is to throw them in fresh pressed juices, smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and even healthy breads made of complex carbs. Dehydrated veggies and fruit are also excellent ways of making sure you get your 5 in, just be mindful of the concentrated sugars present and potential artificial fillers.)

6. MOVE! (Be it walking the dog, yoga, pilates, taking the stairs daily, or even mini-workouts during commercial breaks, get up and MOVE! It doesn't take hours to get in some calorie burning cardio and muscle building. Make the time and find a suitable workout you can do consistently for at least 15-30 minutes daily, and just do it! While I realize this habit isn't necessarily 'eating', movement is medicine, so take of yourself!

7. And in all things...give yourself GRACE! (Meditate, be still, and center yourself. Life happens on a regular and beats you up enough, don't add to it. Did you indulge in a sinful sweet? Skipped leg day? Didn't get in that gallon of water? Forgive yourself and start again in the morning. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your ideal you. Be kind to yourself, love yourself and know your worth. You got this, now LET'S GO!!

Great Eats & Healthy Living!