An MSN NZ promotion for Healtheries
Healthy eating is vital to a healthy way of life. Not maintaining a healthy diet has a huge impact on our stress levels and sleep patterns, not to mention our waistlines and day-to-day energy levels. If your diet's not the best now's the time to look at improving your eating habits.
Healthy eating and weight management
What we eat is so much a part of who we are and if you've been struggling with weight issues your diet will most likely be a factor. If your weight's an issue consider following these top tips for weight management:
- Reduce portion sizes. A palm-full should be one serving size.
- Don't skip meals.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Eat more quality protein — fish, lean meat, legumes and nuts — at each meal. This will help to control your blood sugar levels and reduce sugar cravings.
- Reduce salt intake — always check sodium levels on food labels.
- Exercise daily. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day.
Choosing low fat options
Another way to control weight and to introduce a healthier diet and lifestyle is the importance of choosing lower fat foods over fuller fat products.
Top food swaps
Full fat milk versus trim
Do your health, and your waistline, a favour by choosing lower-fat milk (and dairy) varieties. According to the Heart Foundation, a glass of dark blue top milk has 8.8 grams of fat; 5.4 grams of which is saturated. That's one-third of the saturated fat you should be having in a day. If you simply switch from dark blue to light blue milk, you'll save yourself a teaspoon of fat in every glass. Green or yellow top milk has the lowest fat content of all.
Butter versus reduced fat table spreads
For many, the biggest source of fat intake is butter. Butter is three-fifths saturated fat, whereas spreads contain less than one-fifth. So making the simple swap from butter to margarine/table spreads is a very important way to reduce (saturated) fat consumption. Other healthy options to replace butter include hummus, peanut butter or mashed avocado.
Potato chips versus Potato Bites
Healtheries Potato Bites are a healthy alternative to regular potato chips many of which are full of fat and salt. Made using real potatoes they contain only eight percent total fat and less than one percent saturated fat. Corn Tubes from Healtheries are another option. Aimed especially at children these light and crisp snacks made from wholegrain corn are free from wheat, gluten and artificial flavours and colours and importantly, contain 65 percent less fat than regular potato chips.
Standard crackers versus Grain Wafers
Many cracker products on supermarket shelves are packed full of salt, additives and fat but there are healthy alternatives out there. Try Healtheries Grain Wafers (available in a variety of flavours including Wholegrain Rice and Five Grains) which are both nutritious and delicious and a perfect snack option. Suitable for coeliacs and anyone following a wheat or gluten free diet they are also a great bread replacement.
Healthy eating habits and energy levels
Energy levels are an important part of one's day-to-day wellbeing and vital for us to get through all we need to in a day. If your energy levels are suffering consider:
- Eating breads and cereals with wholegrains, nuts and seeds as these help to sustain energy. Try bread alternatives like Healtheries Grain Wafers mentioned above.
- Reduce tea and coffee intake. Swap caffeinated drinks for cups of herbal or fruit teas like Healtheries Crisp Green Apple or Lemon and Ginger tea varieties.
- A good night's sleep and regular exercise will help you to feel more energised.
Home
