What comes to mind when you think of fitness? You might imagine cardio or weight lifting. But as the saying goes, “abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.” Physical activity is essential, but it’s only one part of getting fit and staying healthy. Your nutrition and diet are equally important. But it can be difficult and frustrating to change your whole life around in a week. So how can you improve your nutrition with a few simple tricks?
Tip 1: Watch Your Portion Size
One nutrition and diet tip to keep in mind is to watch your portion size. Eating smaller portions can be an easy trick to shed a few pounds and stay on track for your health goals. You might not notice the benefits at first, and it could take you a while to make permanent changes to your portion sizes. But you’ll notice benefits if you choose a small drink over a medium or a medium over a larger one for long periods.
Tip 2: Limit Sugar
Limiting sugar is another nutrition tip we all hear. But limiting your sugar intake is an easy way you can take more control over your diet. The easiest way to reduce sugar intake is by minimizing or cutting out sugary beverages.
Sugary drinks like fruit juice, sports drinks, and soda are primary sources of added sugar. Although these drinks taste amazing, they’ve been linked to harmful health conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, even in individuals who aren’t overweight.
Tip 3: Add Nuts and Seeds to Your Diet
You might be under the impression that it’s better to avoid nuts and seeds because they’re high in fat. But nuts and seeds are chock full of beneficial nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Nuts might even help you shed a few pounds and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Adding nuts and seeds to your diet is an easy way to get added nutrients without making major changes.
Tip 4: Reduce Refined Carbohydrates
We’ve all heard the argument for and against carbohydrates. But it’s true; not all carbs are beneficial. Refined carbs are highly processed and lack the necessary fiber and nutrients. Highly processed foods are typically made from refined carbs that include processed corn, white flour, and added sugars.
Although these foods can taste great, they can be harmful in excess. Diets high in refined carbohydrates might be linked to harmful conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Tip 5: Don’t Forget to Hydrate!
It’s easy to forget proper hydration or overlook water when discussing nutrition. But hydration is essential for optimal buddy function and keeps your blood volume sufficient. Increasing your water intake can be extremely beneficial, especially if you prefer sugary drinks. Replacing some or all sugar drinks with water reduces calories, sugar, and additives. What’s more is that adequate water intake can prevent headaches, aid weight loss, and maximize performance.
Stay Nutritious Silverlake
Diet and nutrition are easy to overlook in favor of exciting exercise programs. But adequate nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy body and lifestyle. You don’t have to change your diet all at once or cut out the foods you love to see improvements. You can make a few minor changes here and there and reap the rewards over time with the tips above.
