We’re at the start of a new year and many of us are looking at ways to eat a healthier diet. Whether this is a new year’s resolution of yours, or you simply want to make some positive, small-scale changes in your life, you may be wondering how to make this process as easy and straightforward as possible. The good news is that there are a few different ways to do this! Here are some to take into consideration!
Don’t Follow Fad Diets
The easiest and most effective way to eat healthily is to simply follow a healthy, balanced diet. Sure, there are countless fad diets out there, trying to rope you into buying their books, guides or join their clubs in a bid to lose weight or eat more healthily. But more often than not, these diets are unsustainable and not actually very good for you at all. Instead, remember that a balanced diet within your recommended calorie count is the way to go!
Know Your Recommended Calorie Count
Of course, to follow your recommended daily calorie count, you first need to know it. The guide below should give you an idea of how many calroeis you should be consuming each day based on sex, age and activity levels.
- Children aged 2 to 8 – 1000 to 1400 calories
- Girls aged 9 to 13 – 1400 to 1600 calories
- Boys aged 9 to 13 – 1600 to 2000 calories
- Active women aged 14 to 30 – 2400 calories
- Sedentary women aged 14 to 30 – 1800 to 2000 calories
- Active men aged 14 to 30 – 2800 to 3200 calories
- Sedentary men aged 14 to 30 – 2000 to 2600 calories
- Active adults over 30 – 2000 to 3000 calories
- Sedentary adults over 30 – 1600 to 2400 calories
For a more tailored guide based on you as an individual, you should consult your doctor or a professional nutritionist.
Know Plenty of Recipes
It’s easier to enjoy a balanced diet if you know lots of different recipes to pick from. This will ensure that you can always create something you’ll look forward to, helping to beat off the temptation of getting a takeaway or going to a drive thru. Start out with this korean short rib recipe.
Meal Prep
Another way to avoid the temptation of convenience foods – which are often high in saturated fats, sugars and salts – you should try meal prepping. If you know you have a partially prepared meal at home, you’re much less likely to pick up junk instead. Meal prepping makes healthy eating easier and faster. It’s also a good way to be economical with your ingredients and save money! You can learn more about it here.
Avoid Extremes
Don’t feel like you have to go from your usual diet to strict healthy eating. Moderation is key and you are much more likely to experience success if you allow yourself a treat every now and then. You don’t have to completely cut out any particular foods you might enjoy.
These are just a few different ways to eat healthy without it being a struggle! Hopefully, at least a couple of the suggestions above will help you on your journey!
