Eat Healthier in 2012

I don’t know about you, but December 2011 was abysmal for my healthy eating routines. I honestly can say that I must have gained 10 pounds alone from the cookies, festive drinks, and decadent meals I enjoyed in the spirit of the seasons. And I would wager to guess that the same could be said of many of your clients. Since the beginning of January, I’ve been trying to whip myself into shape courtesy of countless spinning classes and healthier eating practices. As such, I’m trying to incorporate some of these tips from an article from the Harvard Women’s Health Watch. I thought I would pass them along for you to share with your clients and your team to encourage them to embrace a healthier lifestyle in 2012. Here are five of the 12 ways to improve the way you eat, according to the article “12 for 2012:

  1. Pile on the vegetables and fruits. Their high fiber, mineral, and vitamin content make fruits and vegetables a critical component of any healthy diet. They’re also the source of beneficial plant chemicals not found in other foods or supplements.
  2. Go for the good fats. It’s the type of fat that counts. Replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fat, including vegetable oils and omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, seeds, nuts, and canola oil), as well as monounsaturated fat (avocados, olive oil, and canola oil), can help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol.
  3. Rethink supplements. It’s best to get the vitamins and minerals you need from food rather than supplements. That can be difficult, especially when you are watching your calories. But it’s not impossible. The key is choosing nutrient-rich foods, like leafy green vegetables, low-fat yogurt, dried beans, whole grains, and salmon.
  4. Dine mindfully. Taking time to savor your food not only helps you enjoy it more, it also helps control your appetite. If you eat too quickly, the brain may not receive signals that the stomach is full. Put down your fork between bites and chew more slowly.
  5. Eat breakfast. The daily morning rush sometimes means you skip breakfast. Don’t. A healthy morning meal makes for smaller rises in blood sugar and insulin throughout the day, which can lower the risk of overeating and impulse snacking.

Click here for the full story, and best of luck eating healthy in 2012!