GirlsGuideTo | 5 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier Every Day

We can always excuse our bad eating habits to our busy, hectic schedules, but we're really just hurting ourselves. Eating healthy is still eating delicious. So, instead of making excuses, commit to making these smal changes in your diet for a healthier you!

Eat more fruits and vegetables.

We hear this every day, but most of us still don’t get the recommended intake. You really need to fill half your plate with produce at every single meal.

Replace refined grains with whole grains.

In certain studies, women who ate more whole grains were less likely to have a heart attack and develop type-2 diabetes than those who ate them rarely. If that doesn’t convince then I don’t know what else to say. There are so many options on the market such as whole grain pastas, breads, rice, and quinoa. Give them a try, you are sure to find something you like just as much as your regular white spaghetti, I promise.

Really pay attention to what you eat.

Decide if you're hungry before taking the next bite. Figure out if that cake is calling you because you're hungry, or just because it's there. We're in favor of indulging when you really want to. But when you're shoveling that 10th handful of Pringles out of motor memory, you're not even really enjoying it. The best solution is to actually sit down at a table while eating, and not in front of the TV. It will make a huge difference and you’ll be less likely to over-snack while watching your favorite shows.

Cut back on meat.

Commit to truly meatless Mondays, or to meatless lunches, or to cooking with smaller portions of meat. It can reduce your risk of cancer and shrink your carbon footprint. Try incorporating tofu and quinoa into your meals; the latter is actually a complete protein, so you won’t be missing any nutritional benefits of meat.

Cook at home more.

Most home-cooked meals (even the ones that aren't exactly spa food) have a nutritional leg up on butter-laden, salt-heavy restaurant food. In addition, you can also control the portion size and reduce added sugars. Make it a goal to prepare all this month's lunches at home, or to cook dinner an extra two nights per week.

What do you think? What are the small changes you make for a healthier diet?

{Source: Bon Appetit}