By Abagail Sullivan
A Dietitian Gives us the Skinny on Healthy Eating
Content by Kristina Ghafari, MS, RD, LDN, guest contributor
Shop the perimeter of the grocery store.
This ensures you’re shopping mostly for produce, proteins and dairy.
Make sure you have lean protein in your diet.
Lean protein, along with fiber and healthy fats, help with satiety to keep you feeling fuller longer, which can be extremely helpful for weight loss and maintenance. Some good sources of lean protein are: fish, turkey, chicken, beans, egg whites, cottage cheese and Greek yogurt.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Sometimes when you feel hungry, your body is actually thirsty. Try drinking a glass of water before you eat something. Thirst is also a late sign of dehydration -so when your brain tells you you’re thirsty, you’re already somewhat dehydrated.
Cut down on foods that can cause inflammation.
The most common offenders are gluten and dairy. Inflammation in your body can set the stage for heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions.[1]
Tweak your meal plan.
Tweaking your meal pattern is just as important as the types of food you consume for a healthy diet. Try to eat 5-6 smaller meals daily. Frequent meals help keep your blood sugar stable and your metabolism active.
[1] http://www.health.harvard.edu/family_health_guide/what-you-eat-can-fuel-or-cool-inflammation-a-key-driver-of-heart-disease-diabetes-and-other-chronic-conditions