Healthy Eating

Eating healthy is easier than you might think. Making small swaps for unhealthy foods can help you feel better, more energized and motivated to eat healthier more often.

Water Instead of Soda

This is a very simple swap you can make. Whether you’re in the grocery store or eating out at a restaurant, resist the urge to buy a soda, and opt for a water with lemon. You’ll save money and empty calories. Soda is also full of sugar that taste great at the moment, but then leaves you feeling sluggish. Soda can also keep you awake, preventing you from having a proper night’s sleep, which affects your overall health. There are ways to jazz up your water too by infusing it with different fruits like limes, cucumber, and berries. Experiment with different fruit-infused water until you find one you like.

Brown Rice Instead of White Rice

Simply opting for brown rice instead of white rice will help you intake more nutrients and fill you up more with less. Brown rice includes the bran and germ from grains that are full of vitamins and fiber nutrients. White rice, on the other hand, is processed, so those vitamins and fiber nutrients are removed. This is not to say that you cannot eat white rice, because if that’s a food you truly enjoy, you can definitely still cook and eat it, but choosing brown rice over white rice now and then is a great way to increase your fiber intake and eat healthier.

Popcorn Instead of Chips

As tempting as those classic potatoes are, it’s actually healthier to eat popcorn. Popcorn has fewer calories, fats, and has more fiber. You’ll want to stick with air-popped popcorn for the least amount of calories and fats. You can jazz up popcorn with seasoning salts, just be sure to check your sodium intake, so you’re not overindulging.

Vegetables Instead of Pasta

Pasta can be a yummy side dish to your main meal, but serving your favorite fish or chicken with veggies is another simple food swap to fuel your body with more nutrients. Pasta can be heavy and very starchy, so it’s nice to have a lighter side dish to pair with your main course. You can mix up your favorite vegetables, practice with different spices and cooking methods until you find your new favorite vegetable dishes.

Start Small and Simple

You don’t have to toss out your soda, white rice, and chips right this instant. Moving forward, you can start to make healthier food choices. Practice when you eat out with your family and friends and see how you feel after eating a nice healthy dinner of protein with a side of veggies instead of pasta or potatoes. The smallest changes can help you feel better and more energized over time.