5 Easy-to-Follow Healthy Eating Habits

It’s no secret that the food we eat plays a huge role in our health.

While the wrong food can make us feel sluggish and tired, the healthier path can present a myriad of benefits for our bodies. In fact, not only does healthy eating improve our overall well-being, but it can also ward off chronic diseases. This is something that’s more important now than ever, as Maryville University reports that by 2025, 164 million Americans are projected to be affected by chronic illnesses. But aside from making sure your body is strong and healthy to fight off diseases, having good eating habits can also positively affect your mood, and even delay the signs of aging.

However, we understand that the first steps to eating healthy (especially in a world where Postmates and eating out is easier) can be hard, so we’ve outlined 5 easy-to-follow healthy eating habits that you can get started on as soon as possible.

Drink, drink, drink!

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We’re sure you’ve been reminded of the importance of staying hydrated — but in terms of healthy eating habits, drinking water throughout the day can help keep hunger levels down, energy levels high, and digestion levels intact. Not to mention, studies conducted from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State have found that drinking more water can even help manage weight.

Start by keeping a reusable water bottle around with you so you can drink over the course of your day. If you have trouble remembering to drink, download an app that can remind you to stay hydrated.

Fix your eating schedule

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Skipping meals is a bad idea, as it can lead to overeating, which can lead to skipping meals, and so on and so forth. It’s an unhealthy cycle and, according to Vartika Kashyap, the biggest energy killer! That said, maintaining a regular schedule and eating at fixed intervals is vital to ensure that you can stay productive and feel energized throughout the day.

Eat whole foods — as in, food you can grow

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Potatoes come from the ground, while eggs come from a hen — you know where these come from, but where did that Pop Tarts come from? While they indeed come from an original food source, processed food has a lot of extra sugar, sodium, and preservatives added to them that remove the nutrients.

Instead of buying heavily processed food, get started by looking out for unprocessed whole foods at the grocery store, as they can give you the best benefits. If you eat out, choose restaurants that serve healthy, balanced meals made with real, minimally processed ingredients.

Have healthy snacks on hand

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There’s nothing wrong with snacking — but it’s better to snack on healthy food. For instance, choose to eat snacks that are low in carbohydrates, but high in nutrition or protein, such as our very own Cake Walk Keto and Gluten-Free Cookie! Other than this, you can eat nuts, such as pistachios or walnuts, or eat snacks with grains in them. Keep these at eye-level so that when you’re in the kitchen looking for snacks, they’re the first things you see. You can also choose to store fresh fruit in a bowl in the kitchen, or stock up your fridge with small batches of cooked whole grains.

Create meal plan and meal prep

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Meal plans have plenty of benefits — you get to eat better, save money, and have more time during the week. If you pair this with prepping your food, you get to go into work without worrying about what to have for lunch anymore. While it does require a few spare hours of your Sunday night, at least you’ll get to learn how to cook.

If you haven’t meal prepped before, start small and choose simple and easy recipes just for lunch throughout the week to make on a Sunday. Once you’ve got it down pat, add breakfasts or dinners, until you can make several different simple dishes in a night that you can have over the course of the week.

written by Robbyn Jiselle

for thecookiedepartment.com