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Whole grains, like quinoa<\/a>, brown rice, buckwheat and barley, to name a few, are filled with protein, fibre, and B vitamins. Unlike refined grains, whole grains provide an important source of healthy carbs that help us feel full for longer and keep us healthier, with more energy. So next time you\u2019re thinking of making pasta, consider choosing a whole grain option instead.<\/p>\nPortion Control<\/h4>\n
A common mistake among people is not understanding portion sizes. It can be hard sometimes, food labels make it difficult to understand and if you\u2019re cooking at home, it can be even trickier. It\u2019s even more confusing when you realise that healthier portion sizes are different for different foods. A good way to remember how much of what you need to eat is by merely looking at your hand. The palm of your hand should be your protein portion, so your meat, fish, tofu, what have you. Your fist should be the carb portion size and your thumb is the correct fat-intake size.<\/p>\n
Eat More Salads, Even With Your Dinner<\/h4>\n
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Eat better for less! Salads really don\u2019t have to be boring, they can be filling, delicious and most importantly, nutritious. The secret for a delicious salad is seasoning and lemon juice, make sure to toss your greens with some lemon juice or olive oil to avoid a bland salad. Top tip: Season and add your oil\/lemon juice when you first add your leafy bits and then again once you\u2019ve added your toppings, that way every bit of the salad is seasoned.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re making a warm salad (which to be honest, can be a meal on its own) don\u2019t forget to properly season and roast your veggies, it really does take the salad to a whole different playing field. Here are some recipe ideas<\/a> if you\u2019re stuck.<\/p>\n It can be hard sometimes to reach that \u2018five portions of fruit a day\u2019 target but smoothies<\/a> make it so much easier. Fruits can be either frozen or fresh, it doesn\u2019t really matter, as long as you\u2019re getting your daily intake and actually enjoying it. Adding a bit of protein powder to your smoothies is also a good trick if you\u2019re trying to increase your daily protein<\/a> intake. Such an easy way to help you eat better.<\/p>\n It\u2019s always good to plan your meals\/make a list before heading to the grocery store<\/a> to avoid mayhem, just make sure to prioritise fruits and vegetables on that list. These types of foods provide such important nutritional value to our diet, they are filled with fibre, minerals and vitamins that our body needs to be healthier and helps protect our immune system. You\u2019ve probably heard that it\u2019s important to get five portions of fruits and veggies a day and it\u2019s true.<\/p>\nIncrease Your Fruit Intake: Smoothies<\/h4>\n
Cook At Home More<\/h4>\n
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You never know what you\u2019re truly eating when you eat out. Restaurants tend to smother foods in oil or butter to make the food more flavoursome, which is not a problem if you\u2019re eating out occasionally but when it’s common practice it makes it harder to live healthier. Eating at home is a great way to know exactly what you\u2019re eating and if you’re choosing minimally processed foods, you\u2019re already winning. A good way to not become overwhelmed with cooking during the week is to make a meal plan, it truly is the key to fast, easy meal prep. Also, try to choose recipes that have more veggies in them. You really should be aiming to fill half your plate with vegetables.<\/p>\nBuy More Fruit And Vegetables<\/h4>\n
Not A Fan Of Veggies: Roast Them<\/h4>\n
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If you\u2019re not the biggest fan of vegetables but are trying to eat better, a good \u201ctrick\u201d to liking them is simply by roasting them. The best part? Almost any vegetable can be roasted. Just add a bit of olive oil or sesame oil, season it to your liking (onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and a bit of chilli is always a winning combo) and throw them in the oven or ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/test10.co.za\/C\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/water1x5.jpg\")
In order to live healthier, you need to drink a lot of water. Water not only supports health but also promotes hydration without any additional calories. Moreover, it carries nutrients to all cells in our body and oxygen to our brain. Water also flushes out waste and toxins from our bodies. The reality is, flavoured drinks add no nutritional value to our diet. That\u2019s not to say you should cut them out completely but should be considered more of an indulgence rather than an everyday drink.<\/p>\n