20 Ways to Eat Healthier Now

I know, I know, I promised I would get better at updating this blog more frequently. Life is well, nuts, I suppose and I'm also a little discouraged that I don't appear to have many readers or "followers" out there anymore! Probably because I haven't been consistent at posting, and for that, I'm sorry. I've got all these great ideas though to post on and would also like your ideas or questions. So, please keep reading, comment, and ASK ME QUESTIONS!! :) Thank you.

Remember when we were kids and we would eat when hungry, stop when full, and go run off without worrying how many calories or fat grams we just consumed? Here are 20 easy-as-pie rules to eating right for you and your inner 8-year old.

1. Eat like a tourist in Greece. Mediterranean diets, which are full of fish, chicken, and fresh vegeatbles can help lower your risk for heart disease and keep you slim.

2. If you can't grow it, don't eat it. A potato comes from the ground, an egg from a hen. But where did that Pop-tart come from? This one's pretty much a no-brainer, but a good general rule of thumb is to do most of your grocery shopping around the PERIMETER of the store, not the aisles where all the unhealthy, processed food is. This will ultimatly not only save your belly, but your budget.

3. Read the back of the box first. Make sure to flip around the box to read the ingredients. The more ingredients, the more likely it has visited a few processing plants where something artificial was mixed in.

4. The crunchier, the better. Snacks that offer a big, satisfying crunch when you bite into them-and I mean apples, celery, snap peas and nuts, not chips-keep your mouth busy longer than food you slurp. The more you chew, the slower you eat and the more time your body has to register fullness.

5. You can always have more. Tomorrow. A food shortage is not imminent. Besides, anything you eat after you're full doesn't even taste as good. There is a toning down of taste buds after the first few bites. So savor a few bites today and enjoy a little the next day...

6. A frozen berry beats a fresh doughnut. Puchasing organic local produce is better for both the environment and your health, but when the nearest farm is hours away, don't default to a package or Oreos. Frozen, canned, and fresh fruit all have comparable amounts of nutrients.

7. You can't replace real ice cream. When you're craving Chunky Monkey, no amount of fat-free ice treat will make up for it. Diet foods leave you feeling hungry and cheated. Splurge on one scoop of the real deal and savor it. You'll be satisfied physically and psychologically.

8. There's no fruit in "fruit flavor". Seeing flavor on a label is a sign the food was stripped of its real taste and a fabricated one swapped in. Natural only means the additive came from a plant or an animal, which may not be as healthy as it sounds.

9. If it's not around, you can't eat it. You're in your cozy armchair watching TV when you get an urge for Cool Ranch Doritos. If all you have to do is walk back to the pantry, you'll grab a bag and attack it. But let's say you have to put on your shoes, find your keys, and drive to the store. Laziness will triumph.

10. Table your meals. As much sitting as we do, we rarely stay put during dinner. 59% of young women eat on the run, and hence, consume more total fat, calories, as well as more soda and fast food. The less distracted and stressed you are when you dine, the more efficiently your body absorbs nutrients.

11. Judge food by its cover. When you have to hack through layers of packaging and plastic to get to your dinner, it's likely to be unhealthy.

12. Cake's just not that into you. Sugary carbs are the bad boyfriends of the food world. They woo us with sweet nothings and leave us unsatisfied, guilt-ridden, and 10 lbs heavier. The solution: Pick a snack that has your back, such as fruit, lowfat yogurt and honey. The occasional splurge is ok, but most splurges should have your health in mind.

13. Don't drink dessert. Store shelves are exploding with colorful, cleverly named drinks that sound healthy but are actually just sweetened water. Don't let the labels fool you. For a healthier sip, try lemon or mint iced tea or sparkling water with a splash of juice.

14. Make sure you can ID the animal. You don't have to hunt or skin your supper, but if your chicken has been molded into a nugget, who knows waht you're really chewing. Plus, when you're choosing meat that's been processed, you're downing sodium and preservatives instead of healthful nutrients. Stick to unfussed-with cuts straight from the butcher.

15. Fuel up in the morning, not at night. Aim for a bigger breakfast and lunch, with a smaller dinner and snack in the evening and you'll be less likely to overeat in the evening, and more likely to burn off unwanted calories during the day.

16. Don't buy food where your buy tires. That means, don't be tempted to buy groceries at the pump. You'll spend more money and make unhealthy choices. Food should be bought at the supermarket.

17. Work for your dinner. If you invest a few minutes in chopping, rinsing, and grilling. The result is well worth it. When you prepare dishes yourself, you can see exactly which ingredients are going into it and make conscious choices about what you truly want to eat.

18. Your hips are not a fridge. Contrary to what our mom's led us to believe, you don't need to finish everything on your plate. When you're full, stop eating, and either throw away what's leftover or store it in the fridge for lunch tomorrow.

19. Watching Top Chef isn't cooking. Cooking isn't a spectator sport. No need to whip up a seven course meal, but you can pick up tips about combining flavors and using fresh ingredients.

20. Cut yourself a break! If you follow these rules most of the time but occasionally crave a fast food fix, a slice of pizza, or brownie, go for it. You can happily resume your healthy plan once you satisfy the urge. We all need to relax a bit!