This month is National Nutrition Month! If you struggled maintaining your News Years Resolution last month, now is the time to pick it back up! This month is all about making smarter choices & developing new physical habits. Whether you want to lose some weight, have clearer skin or just feel good, these tips are perfect for you. Here are our top 6 tips on how to jump right into spring cleaning your diet. We are not discussing detoxes but making more health-conscious choices.
Reduce your intake of refined sugars & flours plus any other processed foods.
These kinds of foods can actually make you feel hungry and tired all day long. Sugars – including maple syrup, honey and agave can affect your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight & blood sugar levels.
Fruits and vegetables can give you a boost of energy!
Aim for 2 cups of fruit per day and 3-4 cups of vegetables per day. You know the saying, an apple a day can really keep the doctor away. Eating fruits and vegetables can help regulate your digestion.
Chew more slowly.
When you eat, focus on the smells, taste and texture. In today’s time, we tend to eat quickly as if we have only minutes to spare. Chewing your food slowly has shown that you can feel fuller plus you can get more vitamins & nutrients out of your meal.
Eat your favorite foods, just eat a healthier version of them!
Have a burger but replace the bun with a salad wrap for a low carb meal. Swap out the french fries for sweet potato fries. A great way to still eat what you love without feeling guilty!
Incorporate more grains & fiber into your diet.
Foods such as brown rice, quinoa & oats are great way to get all of your nutrients and keep your blood sugars from spiking. According to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, “Fiber can help clean out bacteria and other buildup in your intestines & reduce your risk of colon cancer.”
Eat foods with probiotics.
Found in fermented foods such as yogurts and sauerkraut. According to Health.Harvard, “Foods that are fermented go through a process of lactofermentation in which natural bacteria feed on the sugar and starch in the food, creating lactic acid. This process creates an environment that preserves the food and promotes beneficial enzymes, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as various species of good bacteria.” Consuming foods with probiotics can also help boost the immunity and GI Health. Studies have shown that probiotics have been used for management of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
A Note From ND Labs
You don’t need to make big, lifestyle changes to eat well. When you go food shopping or are out at a restaurant, consider what you may eat. Little changes to what you eat can go a long way. If you struggle maintaining a healthy diet due to medical reasons, long work hours, etc, try adding our all-natural supplements to your meals. They come in a liquid or powder form and only require 1-2 tablespoons. Easy and hassle free and a great way to maintain good health.
