It has been mentioned multiple times that eating contributes to 80% of a healthy lifestyle and 20% is credited toward exercise. There are many things to take into account when trying to eat clean. One of the easiest ways to test if the food you are eating is truly beneficial for you and your body is to ask if you know where it came from. Fruits and vegatables today contain a trumendous amount less nutrients than the fruits and vegetables that were around when our grandparents grew up. In fact not just fruits and vegetables but almost everything at the grocery store is infused with hormones, additives, chemicals, coloring dye and things that do nothing but harm your insides. Food is constantly being refined to look the way we find desirable. A good rule of thumb is that if you don’t know what a word is or can’t pronounce it on the label it is most likely not good for you. Try to steer away from this and buy fruits and vegetables locally, at farmers markets, or grow them yourself! Pick organic options to insure you are not getting hormone infused products.
hershey’s candy label
Another tip to keep in mind is how important portioning is. Getting in shape and reaching your potential perfect eating plan must be done with the help of portioning. In general, Americans overeat. Portions have been made into super sizes, family sizes and we’re starting to see more and more overeating. Even with the healthiest diet, overeating will add calories that your bodies doesn’t need. Look at suggested portion sizes on labels and follow them accordingly. Portioning can help prevent aimless snacking as well. Portioning is a great thing to keep in mind when you are “cheating” on your meal plan. It will allow you to indulge in whatever it is you are craving without overdoing it and feeling bloated and sick later.
Above is a picture of what the ideal healthy meal plate should look like. Keep in mind that when picking a “healthy carb” stick to whole grain and brown grains instead of white. Some examples of healthy carbs are sweet potatoes, brown rice, quinoa, and whole grain options (like whole grain pasta instead of white). Be cautious about eating carbs everyday ad think about reducing the portion to even smaller than what is suggested on the plate. Try to avoid carbs as much as possible and use them as a “treat” a few times a week.
Bodies on A Budget 