How to eat what you love and still be healthy: answers to your questions about healthy eating
I don’t like healthy food. It’s too…grainy and tasteless!
Do you like fresh frozen yogurt, refreshing fruit smoothies, blueberries, guacamole and salsa, thin crust pizza, or brown rice sushi? You’d be surprised at how delicious healthy food can be! Now, many supermarkets are including delicious organic and all natural options in their aisles. Give them a try, and you might like them. Whole grains have a nuttier, flavorful taste compared to tasteless white bread. With so many varieties of fresh fruits, you’re bound to find one that you love. You might enjoy the taste of greasy chips or fries while consuming them, but you probably feel dehydrated or uncomfortable after eating a whole package. Instead, if you eat a fresh apple or orange, you’ll notice that your body will feel invigorated and refreshed. That’s your body’s natural way of thanking you for treating it well!
I want to enjoy life by eating what I like instead of depriving myself by being healthy.
Good news! Being healthy is actually the exact opposite of depriving yourself. Healthy living is not about shunning your favorite foods and forcing yourself to eat foods you dislike. If you dislike raw veggies, opt for tenderly grilled or sautéed instead, if that’s what you love. The key is to try a variety of healthy options, and choose the ones which appeal to you. How about a fresh new cuisine? If you like Japanese food, try protein-rich brown rice sushi. If you love Italian food, go for tomato herb whole wheat pasta and homemade thin-crust veggie pizza. Be creative, and make sure your food preparation methods use low fat and salt. You’ll be surprised at how refreshed you’ll feel after eating fresh, wholesome food.
But what if I just can’t part with rich ice cream, hamburgers, chocolate, and other comfort foods?
You don’t have to. The key is to live a healthy, happy life. Sometimes you simply long for your favorite rich dessert. Go ahead and have your dessert – just be sure to control your portion size, eat slowly, and savor each bite of indulgence. Occasionally indulging in your favorite unhealthy treat actually encourages you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The key is to make healthy choices 90% of the time, and save 10% to treat yourself to something special. Happiness is, after all, vital to our mental well-being, which is just as important as our physical health.