Gastroenterologist lists 5 factors for healthy eating
How to have a balanced diet (photo: Freepik)
Typically, when people hear the terms "healthy and balanced diet," the first thing that comes to mind is that it is complicated and expensive. However, this is not the case; it just requires adopting the right habits, explains Ukrainian gastroenterologist and therapist Yevheniia Belinska.
Change your habits gradually
The expert suggests starting with snacks. If you previously had fruits or pastries, replace them with a sandwich with toast, vegetables, cheese, eggs, or fish.
Think about what to add to your diet, not just what to remove
Pay attention to the variety of vegetables and fruits, and add spices or herbs to give dishes a more refined taste.
Don’t eat only healthy foods
There is a concept of fun food, which means foods that don’t provide significant health benefits but should be part of your diet to maintain balance and satisfaction.
This doesn’t mean "fun food" and healthy food need to be in equal amounts, but there should definitely be space for it.
"Don’t view a treat at a celebration as a mistake in nutrition and torture yourself for having a piece," the gastroenterologist states.
Eat grains
Use transparent containers for grains and place them at the front of your cupboard, while storing vegetables in the refrigerator where you can see them. This increases the chances of eating them before they spoil.
Discuss your diet with family
Ask who wants to try something new. For inspiration, check your phone gallery where you might have saved screenshots of tasty dishes.
The same chicken breast can be prepared in various ways, making each meal unique.
One of the main reasons people gain weight and suffer from obesity is poor nutrition. A balanced diet can help with weight loss by avoiding excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates and processed foods and ensuring adequate protein intake to prevent overeating.
However, to achieve weight loss goals, you need to change your eating habits, follow a healthy balanced diet, and exercise regularly.
Earlier, we reported on whether you can enjoy your favorite treats and be healthy.
We also discussed what a cheat meal is and whether it can be included in a weight loss plan, and who should avoid it.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
