We all want to follow a healthy diet. All the data is there: diets help feel
better, look better, live longer. So why
do so many people fall short? One major reason is that they may have a
perception of healthy meal plans
as a lifetime prescription for bland and unappetizing foods. Some may have tried "health foods"
of the rabbit food variety and understandably, couldn't bear it any
longer. So what are you to do if you are
one of these people? Do you have to
resign yourself to the fact that you will have to choose between food that
tastes good and food that is good for you?
Absolutely not! The simple ideas
below will get you started down the path of tasty and healthy eating.
----Submitted by Sean
Strive for Variety
One key aspect of healthy meal plans is that you are able to
get all the nutrients and vitamins that you require for your body to function
optimally. The easiest way to do this is to make sure that you are consuming a
variety of foods at every meal. You will want to compose a plate that
includes fruits, protein, dairy, vegetables, grains, and a tiny bit of
fat. This variety will not only provide
the desired fuel for your body, but you will also be able to create meals that
taste unique. Just because you ditch the
large slab of steak doesn't mean you have to replace it with a huge bowl of
steamed cauliflower. When you focus on
variety for each meal, you will get the added benefit of discovering new taste
combinations.
A Rainbow at Every Meal
As you start to introduce variety into your daily meals, you
will notice something curious—an aesthetically pleasing meal. When you sit down to eat, the plate before
you just looks nicer. This is another
benefit of eating a variety of foods.
And now that you've noticed it, you can make the conscious decision to
create colorful dishes and meals. The
next time you go to the grocery store, take a moment to look around the produce
section. You'll see reds, yellows,
whites, oranges, the expected greens, and the unexpected purples. And even though they are not as vivid as the
shades of fruits and vegetables, grains come in a range of colors - whole grain
pasta, wild rice, wheat cereal.
Experiment with all these different colors, and make a meal that is as
beautiful as it is healthy.
Healthy eating is mainly about being more conscious about
what you need. You need to pay attention
to your meals to make sure that you are eating a variety of foods. However, this
attention is not just about policing your food intake, it’s also about learning
(or more accurately, re-learning) to fully experience your food. Eating doesn't have to just include
taste. A plate that includes a variety
of smells, sights, and textures can amplify the enjoyment of the healthy meal
experience. And anything that is
enjoyable is something you'll want to keep doing for the rest of your life.
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