A healthy diet is the key to a healthy lifestyle. If you’re worried that this means you’re only going to be eating salad and porridge for the rest of your days, think again. A healthy diet can be just as delicious and fulfilling as tucking into a bowl of fried chicken of an evening. 

It also doesn’t mean that you have to completely overturn your current eating habits. There are plenty of ways to easily incorporate healthy eating habits without having to bid farewell to all the foods that give you joy. 

Here are just some ways in which you can enjoy the healthy eating lifestyle your way. 

Prepare Meals

We’re all guilty of slumping down on the sofa after work, bailing out of cooking and ordering a takeaway. However, if you take advantage of spare time and do some meal prep for the week ahead, you’ll find that you don’t succumb as often to the temptation of ordering an unhealthy, carb-heavy meal. 

Stay ahead by pulling out a versatile, non-stick frying pan and make a huge pasta bake, a wintery pie or a big soup that will last a few days and save you cooking every night of the week. 

Take Your Own Lunch To Work

It’s the same principle when it comes to lunch at the office. Pack yourselves the leftovers from dinner, make yourself a quick, protein-rich salad or put a sandwich together. This way, when midday rolls around, your lunch is ready and waiting for you in the fridge!

Not only does this save you lots of money, but you can also control your portion sizes and avoid caving for the fast-food joint down the road. Before doing your weekly shop, make a plan for your lunches and dinners so you have enough food for everything. 

Don’t Go Shopping Without A List

This takes us nicely to the next point which is not to go shopping without a list. Supermarkets are stuffed full with crisps, chocolates and treats, making it incredibly easy to slip a pack into your trolly and make an unhealthy eating choice whilst doing it. 

With a list in hand, you’re less likely to make impulse buys and more likely to make informed choices that are full of nutrients. It will save you money in the long run too!

Making sure you don’t go shopping while you’re hungry is also important. It can be all too easy to sneak in lots of unhealthy snacks while you’re walking round, just because you fancy them. Sticking to your pre-made list will save you time and money in the long run. 

Opt For Wholefoods Every Time

From bread to pasta, rice to oats, we can already make healthier choices by buying wholegrain. Wholegrain breads and brown rice and pasta are a rich source of fibre, B vitamins and minerals like zinc, iron and magnesium. These regulate your digestive system and appetite, leaving you fuller longer and minimising the temptation to snack.

Eat Substantial Breakfasts

Many people fall into the trap of thinking that skipping breakfast is the key to a healthy diet. However, by taking the time to make a filling breakfast, you are setting yourself up strong for the day ahead and minimising the temptation to grab a croissant on the way to work. 

Eggs are a great way to start the day. Full of protein and other essential nutrients, they leave you full and actually end up help you eat less calories later in the day. Other great options include porridge with seeds and nuts or muesli with Greek yoghurt. Make sure it’s something that you enjoy so you will look forward to It and are then less likely to skip over it for something else. 

Pay Attention To Your Protein Intake

Protein plays a vital role in your diet in stabilising hunger and hormones. Studies show that eating one high-protein meal decreased levels of the hunger hormone, more so than a high-carb meal.

Protein also builds you stronger, helping retain muscle mass and may increase the amount of calories you burn per day. 

Drink Plenty Of Water 

Weight isn’t always related to food. In fact, it’s also very strongly related to the amount of water you drink. Studies show that drinking enough water can help you lose weight, reduce appetites and increase the amount of calories you burn per day.

Get yourself a water bottle and carry it round religiously. Having it next to you means you will drink from it without realising rather than always having to get up and get a glass, which can seem like a lot of effort and then become something you avoid. 

Water, for those who think soft drinks will do the trick too, cannot be substituted. Other drinks are often packed with sugar and calories and caffeinated drinks actually dehydrate your body. If you don’t like the taste of water, consider adding some squash to make it more palatable. 

Prioritise Healthy Cooking Methods

Roasting and baking are far healthier than frying and grilling. Baked potatoes contain a third of the calories that French fries do. With that in mind, make healthy preparation choices when it comes to making your meals or choosing what to eat a at a restaurant.  

Getting something like an air fryer can also help you to make tasty treats in a more healthy way. If you carry on eating the things that you enjoy then you’re more likely to stick to it in the long run, rather than cutting out everything that you enjoy and making yourself miserable. 

Finally, enjoy your new lifestyle by moving a bit more! With a balanced diet, you’ll find you have much more energy, so get out into the open and reap the benefits of your healthy choices! Go on weekend walks with your friends and family and treat yourself to a Sunday roast after all your hard work. 

Make sure you strike a balance between the healthy lifestyle and keeping up things that you enjoy.