Clever Eating Habits

There are a number of things you can do while eating that will ensure you are helping rather than hindering your way to good health.

Take the time to really taste your meal. Many people are time poor and tend to cram their meals down their throat without experiencing the flavours and textures of what they are chewing. It can also take time for the message that your stomach is full to reach the decision making area of your brain, so keep in mind that by the time you are feeling full, you have probably already eaten more than you should have.

Although it can be difficult, try not to eat when you are feeling emotional. While some foods provide a form of comfort because they make you feel good when you are feeling down, you are more likely to eat a food of poor nutritional value in large quantities. Eating in times of stress or excitement will most likely also lead to poor eating practices, both in terms of food choice and the speed with which you eat. Taking a healthy lunch to work, for example, saves you time, money... and your health!

a happy couple eating breakfast together

Do not skip breakfast at home. Waking up ten minutes early to eat a small nutritious meal has numerous benefits. It will kick start your metabolism for the day, provide you with the energy to get through to lunch, give you with some calm in the morning rush, and act as a good base for your nutritional requirements for the day. It also means you will be less inclined to munch on unhealthy snacks during the day or overeat at lunch time.

Control the size of your portions. It seems that most places we eat at nowadays are intent on giving us jumbo sized helpings. To avoid overeating while you are out, observe the dishes being served to other diners before ordering, and consider foregoing the entree, ordering entree sized mains or sharing dishes if they are too large. When at home, consider gradually reducing the amount of food on your plate or substituting some of the meat or potatoes for other vegetables if you need to cut the amount of calories you are consuming.

Adjust your eating patterns. Rather than eating three large meals a day and snacking between them, some people have found it beneficial to eat five or six smaller meals during the day. This reduces the chance of munching on potato chips or chocolate bars during the day, and it provides your body with the energy and nutrients it needs when it needs them throughout the day. It also keeps your metabolism ticking over at a nice rate, which assists your body in using the calories you have consumed productively.

Clever Eating Habits

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