| The English dictionary defined habit as 'something | | | | that you regularly consume unpasteurized |
| which you do often and regularly, sometimes | | | | fermented foods like yogurt. These kinds of |
| without knowing that you are doing it.' In other | | | | foods are pre-digested and are high in friendly |
| words, you should see eating healthy foods as | | | | bacteria and enzymes that provide you with |
| your second nature. Healthy eating habits are | | | | numerous health benefits - preventing intestinal |
| your password to a healthier body and mind. | | | | infections; keeping intestinal lining healthy; lowering |
| Many of you know the healthy foods you should | | | | cholesterol levels; etc. |
| eat but have not actually formed a habit of eating | | | | 6. Variety is the Spice of Life: By eating a variety |
| them. Here are the top 10 habits that guarantee | | | | of healthy foods, you will make available to your |
| you eat healthy. | | | | body system a wide spectrum of nutrients. |
| 1. Maintain Balanced Diets: You should make sure, | | | | These nutrients, which are gotten from the food |
| at all times, that the foods you eat contain all | | | | groups, are vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, fats, |
| essential-for-health nutrients at the right quantities. | | | | flavonoids, etc. These, no doubt, enhance your |
| These nutrients - vitamins, minerals, proteins, | | | | healthy living. |
| carbohydrates & fats - are required and are | | | | 7. Proper Mastication: Chew your foods very well. |
| fundamental for your proper and healthy body | | | | Do not rush your chewing. This is a very good |
| function. When you eat unbalanced diets over a | | | | and effective way of initiating digestion. You need |
| long period of time, you are likely to be deficient | | | | to know that digestion starts in the mouth as |
| in the nutrients, which can result in health | | | | saliva gets mixed with the food during chewing. |
| problems such as anaemia, heart disease, low | | | | The need for proper digestion can never be |
| immunity, cancer, etc. | | | | overstressed. |
| 2. More of Natural Foods: As a matter of healthy | | | | 8. Steam, Not Cook Vegetables: Vegetables |
| eating habit, always eat more of healthy fresh | | | | should be steamed, not cooked. This is the only |
| foods than processed ones. You should, more | | | | way to prevent vitamin loss from the vegetables. |
| often than not, prefer fresh over frozen, dried or | | | | When you expose them to higher temperatures |
| canned foods. Fresh healthy foods taste better | | | | through undue prolonged cooking, the nutrients |
| and are rich in a variety of high quality nutrients | | | | get lost. |
| like vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, enzymes, | | | | 9. Make a List: Make a list of the foods you like to |
| flavonoids, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, etc. | | | | eat but should avoid with the corresponding |
| Processed foods, on the contrary, have some | | | | healthy food substitutes. Keep the list handy at all |
| unhealthy additives and chemicals, some of them, | | | | times. It will help you make a healthy food choice |
| picked up by the foods during the production | | | | on daily basis. |
| process. Use them sparingly. | | | | 10. Do Not Eat In-Between Meals: Eating |
| 3. More of Raw Foods: Eating raw foods should | | | | in-between meals is an unhealthy eating habit. |
| form part of your healthy eating habit. Foods like | | | | Hunger is a signal that indicates that your body |
| vegetables, salads, nuts, seeds and low sugar | | | | desires, needs and is ready for more food. A bite |
| fruits are best eaten raw, and should be | | | | here, a taste there and the calories mount. If you |
| consumed on a daily basis. Raw foods are higher | | | | hunger in-between meals, take fruits as snacks as |
| in nutrients and are easier to digest than cooked | | | | that could be a way of keeping overweight at |
| ones. The only foods that need to be cooked are | | | | bay. |
| meats, beans, grains and some vegetables in | | | | Developing healthy eating habits for yourself does |
| order to make them edible. | | | | not need to be a stressful experience. Make a |
| 4. Eat Fibre-Rich Foods Regularly: Fibre is | | | | commitment to yourself today. Take it one day |
| non-digestible carbohydrate found in healthy foods. | | | | at a time. Keep a positive attitude. Don't forget, |
| These foods are good for digestion and | | | | you are developing healthy eating habits that will |
| elimination. The usual sources are vegetables, | | | | last for your entire lifetime, thereby making your |
| fruits, beans, grains, nuts and seeds. | | | | life worth the while as far as healthy living is |
| 5. Cultured & Fermented Foods: It is important | | | | concerned. Make it a pleasant journey! |