As something as crucial to one’s health, healthy eating is something that everyone, but only a few do consistently. Note that eating healthy isn’t about following any strict diet plan. It’s about the foods and drinks a person chooses to consume every day. Simply saying, eating right is enough to help you achieve a healthier body.
The problem with an unhealthy diet is that it comes with more significant risks for diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer may also result from it.
The purpose of this post is to guide people on how to eat healthily. Check out the best foods to try for a healthier life:
1. Organic Foods
Organic food products get produced, processed, and prepared without using any harmful chemicals. The food production process involved doesn’t allow the use of chemical preservatives, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Nowadays, there’s a growing trend towards organic food consumption. So, where can you get them? You have many options, but the two most common are:
- Fresh from your garden – People are trying to consume more organic foods to decrease the pesticide amount getting into them and their family’s bodies. However, one look at most people’s grocery store receipts and the reality that organic food can be expensive becomes clear. Fortunately, organic gardening allows you to grow your own chemical-free, delicious, fresh produce.
Some of the vegetables you can plant are broccoli, peas, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, bell peppers, and carrots.
- Sourced from reputable suppliers – Another way to get organic foods is to source them from the right organic food supplier. These suppliers can provide vegetables, meat, and even organic beverages. If you’re following a ketogenic diet, some suppliers also offer snacks for keto diet.
It’s only a matter of finding the right provider for your needs. Don’t worry, though, because you’ll be in good hands as long as you work with a supplier that has the products, tools, knowledge, and experience to fulfil your orders.
2. Locally Sourced Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Eating fresh vegetables and fruits is an essential part of any person’s daily diet. When shopping for produce, many people choose locally grown food now. Doing so benefits the environment and the economy. More importantly, it’s beneficial to your health.
So, why choose locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables if you want to achieve a healthier life? The keyword is ‘fresh.’ Local crops are fresher than produce coming from other lands. Of course, the best and most nutritious foods are also the freshest ones.
Locally sourced foods can be categorized into two:
- Seasonal – The seasonality of food refers to specific times of the year when specific food types are at their peak. Products can be seasonal in terms of flavour or harvest. It’s usually when the food is freshest and cheapest on the market. The best time to eat seasonal produce is when you can purchase them directly from a local grower.
- All-year-round – Some goodies are available year-round locally. In the US, some of the all-year-round foods are bananas, potatoes, carrots, and apples. However, it’s essential to note that most of these crops may be available only in specific areas.
3. Baked-not-fried Foods
Eating healthy isn’t only restricted to adding vegetables and fruits to a diet plan. Choosing organic and fresh foods is also not enough. The truth is that healthy eating is also about the cooking method you use. For instance, steer clear of deep-fried dishes if you’re suffering from diabetes or blood pressure. To serve healthier dishes for you and your family, switch to baking instead.
Here are some examples of baked-not-fried foods you can try:
- Spicy baked sweet potato wedges – This dish is so tasty you and your family won’t believe you’re eating healthy! It’s also easy to cook. Spicy baked sweet potato wedges are delicious when dipped in ketchup, honey mustard sauce, or even guacamole. Others like it plain, which is also a tasty way to enjoy this dish.
- Crispy baked onion rings – Most people would agree that onions would taste so much better if they’re battered and fried before getting dunked in ketchup. However, with deep-frying comes the pain of cleaning and lingering oil smell that lasts for days. Not to mention, it’s not the healthiest way to enjoy the dish. With that said, try the oven method. Baking your onion rings can make this fried favourite healthier. Don’t worry because there’s a way to make the final product just as crispy and tasty!
- Baked blooming onion – The fried blooming onion is a favourite restaurant appetizer. In fact, many people think that a Superbowl spread is incomplete without this recipe. You can make a healthier version of it by baking instead of frying the onion–it would be just as delicious!
- Baked quinoa chicken nuggets – Most people are familiar with chicken nuggets. Chances are they’re also your kid’s favourite food. The problem is that chicken nuggets aren’t the most nutritious meal. However, you can give them an upgrade by preparing bake quinoa chicken nuggets instead. They’re moist, crispy, and can be ready within only 30 minutes. They’re also tastier!
4. Preservative-free Foods
The majority of food available in the supermarket is laced with preservatives since it’s part of the effort to make them last longer. When eaten in significant quantities, some of the added preservatives may harm the human body. That’s why you have to choose preservative-free foods instead.
Here’s how you can consume more foods without preservatives:
- Grains – Go for grains such as quinoa, rice, oats, and wheat. They’re often free of preservatives and colourings, especially when buying them fresh.
- Cut back on restaurant meals – Cook more often instead of dining out in restaurants. At home, you can enjoy the food without using ultra-processed ingredients.
- Inexpensive protein sources – Balancing meat and cheaper protein sources can also help. Everyone needs protein, and meat is the nutrient’s primary source. However, meat-based dishes can be more prone to preservatives. With that said, go for alternatives like beans, lentils, and eggs instead.
5. Less Processed Foods
Ultra-processed food products are often inexpensive and tasty. However, the ingredients they contain could be harmful to your health when excessively consumed. Compared to whole foods, they also have fewer vitamins and contain less dietary fibre.
With that said, opt for foods such as eggs, fish, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Takeaways
Some people find it really challenging to eat healthily. One of the most significant reasons is that they don’t know what they should consume.
The truth is that healthy eating is pretty straightforward. You only have to eat organic and locally sourced foods. Stay away from fried meals that are ultra-processed with preservatives, too.
It isn’t complicated to add the foods mentioned here to your routine. You can start incorporating them whether you want to change up your meals or you’re looking for a complete diet overhaul.
Author bio
Andrea Chowdry is a keto advocate and specialist. Her background in diet and nutrition is impressive and she shares her expertise through blogging. She loves to cook different keto recipes and has been promoting organic vegetable gardening in her write-ups. Also, she loves yoga, badminton, and Zumba dancing.