9 Meal-Worthy Soups for a Nourishing Dinner
This article is written by Amanda Wilks.
Adopting an overall healthy lifestyle means more than eating the occasional apple and hitting the gym every once in a while. This major change needs to cover every single aspect of your life, from the cooking methods you use to how many hours of rest you get per night. In this article, we will give you five nutrition tips that will help you make a successful transition to a more sustainable and wellbeing-oriented existence.
5 Nutrition Tips to Follow
1. Cook Your Food Healthily
If you are already eating healthy foods but aren’t seeing any notable results in terms of your figure or wellbeing, then it might be the time to revamp your cooking methods. Instead of frying or charring your foods, try steaming, baking or gently broiling them, and do it while using only cookware made from non-toxic materials.
Stainless steel, for instance, is the best alternative to get the job done as it is durable, sleek, and easy to clean. What is more, it works on any cooking surface, so you will be able to use it on both traditional gas stoves and induction cooktops. Something like the ergonomically designed Calphalon classic stainless steel cookwareset is ideal for the transition to truly healthy eating as it is a much healthier non-stick alternative to Teflon, which is surprisingly durable and low maintenance.
2. Eat Less Salt and Sugar
For a more sustainable meal plan, it is important to cut back on the amount of salt in your food. Keep it under six grams so that your blood pressure stays within normal parameters and the risk of heart disease doesn’t increase. Otherwise, you will start to experience discomfort. Always read the labels of the prepackaged foods you buy to avoid hidden salt content.
The same is true for sugar. Sugary foods and drinks are particularly damaging as consuming them on a regular basis leads toweight gain and complications like obesity or diabetes. Sugary drinks are particularly dangerous because our brains don’t register liquid calories in the same way as they do with solid ones. So, steer clear of soda.
3. Get Your Daily Greens
When speaking of nourishing healthy foods, it is no secret that fruits and vegetables are at the top of the list. Therefore, your new healthy diet should be rich in fresh fruit and veggies, so that your body gets an adequate number of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber every day. Keep your meals varied to experience a multitude of tastes and flavors.
The main advantage of adopting a meal plan that is based on fresh produce is the versatility of these ingredients. Fruits can be added to a wide array of breakfasts and desserts, while vegetables make amazing side dishes.
4. Consume Fish and Nuts
While we’re on the topic of healthy food, it is vital to mention fatty fish. As you may already know by now, species like salmon, mackerel, trout, cod, herring, or mahi-mahiare rich in indispensable nutrients known as omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds lower the incidence of dementia, heart disease, and depression.
Nuts are another category of fatty foods that work wonders for the health. In fact, regular consumption of nuts can lead to weight loss, in spite of their high-fatcontents and energy-dense nutritional chart. This is because 10% to 15% of the calories in them aren’t even absorbed by the body, making room for all the nutrients to work their magic.
5. Sleep Well and Stay Hydrated
Did you know that a poor sleep schedule is associated with insulin resistance, diminished metabolic function, and hormonal imbalance? A meta-analysis published in 2008 showed that there is a strong connection between sleep loss and dramatic weight gain.
Dehydration also affects the body in similar ways as it can slow down the burning of calories. Therefore, it is vital to drink the recommended daily amount of water. If possible, try to drink water 30 minutes before a meal or one hour after a meal. This will boost your metabolism and will ensure that your digestive system is running smoothly.
The Bottom Line
If you want to eat better and healthier, you need to start by cooking your food right. Cut back on harmful additives and incorporate as many fruits, veggies, nuts, and fatty fish fillets into your diet as possible. Finally, don’t forget to drink your water and get a good night’s sleep. By following only these five steps, you will be practically glowing in no time.
Author Bio: Amanda Wilks is a passionate writer and cooking enthusiast. She enjoys writing about nutrition, healthy eating, and cooking methods. Thus, she hopes to inspire others to make smart choices regarding their own diet and lifestyle. Learn more about Amanda on Twitter.
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