The A-Z of Healthy Eating

Guest blogger Maureen Denard sent me her "A to Z of Healthy Eating." It's long, though -- longer than I usually like to make my posts -- so today I'm going to run A - L, with the rest to come soon!

The A-Z of Healthy Eating

There’s an added emphasis on eating healthy and moderating your weight today, mostly because disease and ill-health are more rampant with the sedentary lifestyles we lead. Good health starts by watching what you eat, when you eat, and how you eat. So get started on the road to well-being by following the A-Z of eating healthfully:

A – Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet – they’re rich in vitamins and nutrients that help keep you fit as a fiddle.

B – Breakfast is important; never skip the first meal of the day because it boosts your metabolism and gives you energy to get through the day.

C – Carbohydrates must be eaten in moderate amounts – choose good carbs like fruits and veggies and whole grains which metabolize slowly and release sugar into your bloodstream gradually; avoid bad carbs like processed food, junk food and others which spike your blood sugar level and add to your weight woes.

D – Diet sensibly – starving yourself is a bad idea since it gives rise to binges. Eat healthy and small meals, five to six times a day.

E – Eat slowly, chew your food well, and minimize your portions; stop eating just before you start to feel full.

F – Fatty foods must be avoided – steer clear of sugary snacks, ice creams, cakes, pastries, fast food and other items that contain saturated fat or processed ingredients.

G – Get moving – for any diet to achieve greater value, exercise is a must; so get rid of your sedentary lifestyle and start becoming more active.

H – Eat all your meals at the same hour every day; when you have set mealtimes, your body does not have to make adjustments each day.

I – Increase the number of meals you eat, and limit the amount you eat during each meal; small meals every few hours maximize your metabolism and boost your health.

J – Jumpstart your day with a glass of fresh juice instead of resorting to caffeine-laden cups of coffee.

K – Kiss goodbye bad habits like smoking and drinking too much – they negate the nutritive value of food and contribute to bad health.

L – Love what’s on your plate – this way, you don’t avoid any food that’s good for you. Learn to love it because it adds to your health and helps you lose weight.

[Second half coming soon! -- Pama]

This guest post is contributed by Maureen Denard, who writes on various subjects at Online MSN Degree . Maureen can be reached at her email id: denard12.maureen@gmail.com .