Eating Smart is Eating Healthy

It is believed that eating healthy starts with knowing how to “eat smart.” This simply means that it is not just what you eat but how you eat. Paying special attention to the kind of food that you eat, which is a combination of protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals is what the ideal well-balanced diet is all about.

• It is important to chew your food slowly and savor every bite. There are times when we rush through our meals that take the away the pleasure of actually tasting the flavors and feeling the textures of what is in our mouths. This is just a simple way of reconnecting with the delight of eating.
• While eating, avoid stress. It is a fact that when we are stressed out, our digestion can be affected. This could cause problems like heartburn and colitis. So avoid eating while driving, arguing, working, or watching TV. Prior to eating your meal, take a deep breath before you begin your meal or simply light a candle or play a relaxing music to help soothe the atmosphere.
• Before you eat, listen to your body. Determine if you really are hungry because sometimes you may just only be thirsty and drinking a glass of water is all you need. Stop eating before you feel full during a meal since it takes a few minutes before your brain tells your body that it is actually full. So eat slowly and you’ll find out that you have eaten just enough to leave yourself feeling relaxed and alert.
• Always start your day with a healthy breakfast. This is a good way to fuel your metabolism and eating your required caloric intake will give your body time to shed off the calories. Eating small yet frequent meals throughout the day will keep your metabolism going for the whole day and will help avoid those snack cravings.