How to Master Healthy Eating with Balance

With summer quickly approaching, many people are more focused on eating healthy.  Often, this is much easier said than done. Eating healthy can have many different meanings. Some people are challenged to eat healthy every day.  

We first need to have a basic understanding of what eating healthy really means. Eating healthy for one person might mean eating unhealthy to another. Food tends to bring us feelings of comfort, we must recognize and strike a balance between eating healthy and the pleasures we may get from less healthy foods.  

Calorie Intake

The first step to is to take in the proper amount of calories daily. The number of calories you should take in is individualized and determined by your fitness goals.

Become familiar with how many calories you are actually consuming on a given day.  This number should be aligned with the amount of calories your body requires to maintain ideal body weight. Calorie-dense foods that really add up quickly are of course sweets such as cakes, candy, chocolate, fried foods, snack foods such as potato chips, soft drinks such as soda or sweetened teas, all the tasty stuff.  These foods can be very enjoyable to eat, and yes can be a part of your diet, but the key is to have a balance.

Overeating

Many people tend to overeat or overfeed themselves at meals or when snacking during the day. Overeating is when you leave the table feeling completely stuffed after a meal.  Overfeeding is simply taking in too many calories during a snack or meal in which you may or may not feel completely stuffed.

Finding Balance

So how should you go about your day to eat healthy and enjoy life without feeling guilty when you do indulge on those special occasions?  The key is balance. It is normal and actually healthy to eat many different foods. The most important aspect to remember is portion control.  

Your body has a much easier time digesting smaller meals rather than large ones.  Studies show people who live longer actually eat less. This is simply because the body’s digestive system wears out after so many uses and begins to breakdown just like any other body part or organ if not taken care of.

The Importance of Meal Planning

Eating smaller calorie-controlled meals throughout the day takes a scheduled effort.   Many people have an excuse why they do not exercise. Eating is an activity that everyone must do.  So like exercise, meals should be planned and times should be set throughout the day to eat.

Try and eat at least three times per day. The basic plan is to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you find yourself hungry between meals prepare a snack to eat.  The key is to not let yourself get so hungry so you do not overeat at meals.

If do not make the effort to exercise, a least make an effort to plan your meals. This is a great way to begin your journey to a healthier life.