Happy Healthy New Year!
2018 is the year to make realistic and achievable New Year’s resolutions and goals to a healthier and happier you. Statistics show that most New Year’s resolutions do not work long-term, in fact they don’t make it past 3 months into the New Year. To combat these statistics, today’s post will give you nutrition-focused New Year resolutions that are easy to stick to and work long-term. Cheers, to a healthier you in 2018!
1. LIST EATING HABITS YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE
and select one to work on. Dedicate your time to change that one habit. Once you have managed to improve that habit, tackle the next habit on the list and so forth. A list of habits is easier to manage one at a time than general and overwhelming resolutions. Smaller changes are achievable and sustainable.
2. PLAN YOUR MEALS
Plan your meals ahead of time. This way, you are able to implement healthy changes to your daily diet and eating habits, avoiding unplanned moments of weakness and exposing you to unwanted unhealthy snacks. For example, planning and preparing meals ahead of time will prevent you from feeling unnecessarily hungry and not being in control of the kind of food available to you and the amount of it you eat.
3. DRINK MORE WATER
Most of us do not drink enough water throughout the day. Water has a number of different roles in our body, including regulating the body’s temperature; sweating is a very effective way of reducing the body’s temperature. At birth the human body is approximately 70% water and this decreases with age. Drinking enough water is vital to maintain good health, prevention of constipation, kidney stones and urinary tract infections. It is integral to long-term health and the prevention of chronic kidney disease. Not drinking enough water causes dehydration, which leads to poor concentration, dizziness, headaches, tiredness and light-headedness. Having water throughout the day, approximately around 8 glasses per day, will help maintain hydration, especially when it is hot. Keep an eye on the color of your urine. If it is dark, you need to drink more.
4. COLORFUL MEALS
Make your meals colorful and more appetizing by choosing brightly colored fruits and vegetables. The greater the variety of colors the better. Evidence shows there are significant health benefits to getting at least five 80g (3oz) portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. The World Health Organization recommends eating this amount daily, as a minimum , to lower the risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
In addition, fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals (including folate, vitamin C and potassium.) It is also a great source of dietary fiber, which helps maintain a healthy gut, prevent constipation and other digestive problems. A diet high in fiber can also reduce risk of bowel cancer. Fruits and vegetables are also low in fat and calories, which helps maintain a healthy weight and healthy heart.