Get Healthy

Always Keep Healthy Snacks in Reach

Cravings often derail attempts at eating healthy.

In fact, roughly 50% of people have food cravings on a regular basis. This can make unhealthy foods quite appealing (37).

Stocking your pantry with healthy snacks can help you fight cravings when they arise.

It’s also a great idea to keep some healthy snacks in your bag or purse to help fight cravings when you’re on the go.

Some great healthy snacks include a handful of nuts, fruit or even a little bit of dark chocolate. You can find more healthy snacks here.

SUMMARY:Cravings can often derail an attempt to eat healthier. To stave off cravings, make sure you have plenty of healthy snacks are available in your pantry and with you while you’re on the go.

Drink a Glass of Water With Every Meal

Water is important for your health. Drinking enough water can help maintain healthy brain function, concentration and a positive mood (38).

In addition, water may help you lose weight by keeping you full and increasing how many calories you burn (7, 39).

If you find it difficult to drink enough water, try having a glass with each meal. This ensures you drink at least a few glasses of water each day.

SUMMARY:Water is important for optimal health and performance. If you struggle to drink enough water, try to have a glass with each meal.

Make a Grocery List Before You Shop

A grocery list is a powerful tool that can help you eat healthier.

It helps you remember what you have at home, plan for healthier food in advance and avoid impulse buys.

What’s more, studies have shown that people who use grocery lists are more likely to eat healthier and carry less weight (40).

SUMMARY:A grocery list can help you make healthier decisions when shopping and prevent impulse buys. Studies have also shown that lists can help you eat healthier.

Shop on a Full Stomach

Shopping on an empty stomach can be a disaster if you’re trying to get healthy.

In fact, studies have shown that people tend to buy more high-calorie foods when they shop on an empty stomach (41).

By shopping after a meal, not only are you more likely to avoid unhealthy impulse buys, but you will probably save some money, too.

This strategy would work even better when combined with a grocery list.

SUMMARY:Shopping on an empty stomach can make you more likely to make impulse buys. Try shopping after a meal to avoid temptations in the supermarket.

Choose Real Foods Over Highly Processed Foods

People in Western countries are eating more highly processed foods than ever before (42, 43).

While processed foods are convenient, they often lack nutrients and increase your risk of chronic diseases (44, 45).

Simply eating more real foods can help you get healthier with minimal effort. Real foods tend to have more fiber and are packed with vitamins and minerals.

Real foods are single-ingredient foods that are mostly unmodified and lack any chemical additives.

Here are a few examples of real foods:

• Apples
• Bananas
• Spinach
• Brown rice
• Unprocessed meats
• Whole eggs

SUMMARY:In modern society, people are eating more highly processed foods than ever, which are low in nutrients. Simply choosing real foods can help you eat healthier as they have more nutrients and fiber.