Considering our crazy ‘work hard, play hard’ lifestyle that consists of late nights, hard work and stress, it is imperative we make healthy life choices if we want to live a long happy life. It is therefore unsurprising that young people nowadays are getting more serious about their health, fitness and diet than ever before. And if you are one of the many looking to make better choices with your food, here are a few simple dietary switches that will help you transition into healthy eating.
1. Cucumber chunks instead of bread sticks
Bread contains gluten, a protein that many are allergic to. So, instead of consuming bread sticks with hummus or all the other various dips, switch to cucumber or carrots. Cucumbers help you hydrate because of their high water content, and thereby flushes out all the toxins in the body.
2. Kale chips instead of potato chips
Kale has a lot of nutritive value and therefore became a fad food a couple of years ago. It is high in Vitamin B and Vitamin K. Kale chips are a good alternative to potato chips and are packed with antioxidants. Plus they are really easy to make. Just sear them in a small amount of olive oil till they are crispy. And you’re done!
3. Baked sweet potato instead of fries
Potato fries are high in trans fat and cholesterol and sweet potatoes are an excellent substitute for these. Sweet potatoes are a great source of Vitamin A. They are also a very good source of Vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid and Vitamin B6.
4. Green tea instead of chai
We all know how much sugar goes in to our daily cup of chai. It’s time to make that change. Switch to green tea. They don’t call it the healthiest drink in the world for nothing! It’s loaded with antioxidants and also helps in weight loss.
5. Black coffee instead of lattes
Similar to chai, lattes and cappuccinos have considerable amounts of sugar that is not good for the body in the long run. Switch to black coffee without sugar and you will be energised enough to power through your day.
6. Brown rice instead of regular rice
Since white rice goes through a lot of processing, it loses all its fiber and nutrients. Brown rice on the other hand, retains all the fibre and makes you feel full faster. This helps in weight loss too because you’re automatically eating smaller portions.
7. Coconut or olive oil instead of vegetable oil
Vegetable oil is loaded with trans fat which is very harmful for the body. Use small amounts of olive oil or coconut oil instead,which are healthier and are higher in natural saturated fats.
8. Detox water instead of cola
Everyone knows how bad colas are for the body. The artificial colours and flavours can seriously damage the body in the long run. Instead, add cut up fruits to a bottle of water and sip on it all day. This helps in weight loss and tastes great too.
9. Protein bars instead of candy bars
All that unnecessary sugar can easily be avoided by switching from chocolate bars to protein bars. These protein bars have limited amounts of carbs and fat. They help in keeping you energised through the day, and are also naturally sweet to keep your sweet tooth happy.
Isn’t it easy to move over to healthier options once it’s all listed out? It’s time you live a healthier life. Stay healthy, stay happy!
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