Despite bombastic articles that glorify certain foods as cancer-curing or weight-loss friendly, when it comes to nutrition and healthy food, it all comes down to personal preferences.

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Each individual should rely on what works well for them in terms of likes and dislikes, but also take into consideration any food allergies and sensitivities.

However, there are several general rules that can serve as guidelines when drafting up your personal diet plan.

#1 Say No to Processed Foods

Inform yourself and know your food. The Internet makes it easy for all of us to learn about organic, free-range, and GMO-free foods and that is a good starting point. Opt for the least processed foods like fruits, vegetables, eggs, whole grains, and high-fiber carbs, while avoiding the common processed options like:

Breakfast cereals

Tinned vegetables

Crisps like potato chips

Processed meat products like bacon, hot dogs, and sausages

Ready meals and microwave meals

Soft drinks

Fast food

French fries

Store-bought cakes, muffins, cookies, and crackers

Pre-made Condiments and salad dressings

It helps if you make your meals from scratch whenever possible. Even if you are not a very skilled cook or don’t have enough time, there is a wide variety of simple recipes that can be put together in no time.

Recipe suggestion: Lentil Chickpea Medley

#2 Put a Rainbow on Your Plate

No matter what diet plan you decide to follow, you can be sure it will require you to eat a plethora of fruits and veggies. The more colorful your plate looks, the more nutrients it contains – fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber while containing low amounts of calories. They have a positive effect on energy levels, strength, and mood. They also control digestion and make you feel full for a longer period of time.

Nutrition experts advise as many as nine servings a day but they also warn that not all fruits are created equal- unlike fresh and frozen fruits, dried fruits and juices should be consumed in smaller amounts.

Recipe suggestion: Tropical Fruit Salad

#3 Limit the Sugar Intake

One of the most important steps towards healthy nutrition is cutting the added sugars from your diet. Statistics say that the average American consumes more than double the recommended daily amount of added sugar.

Sugar is often added to unexpected foods that don’t even taste sweet like low-fat foods, sauces, salad dressings, condiments, cereals, or bread. The difficulty in staying away from added sugars is that they come in many different forms and under many different names. For more details, read my article on sugar decrease.

#4 Choose Your Proteins Wisely

When it comes to taming your food cravings, protein-rich foods are the best choice. Protein increases the feelings of satiety making you eat less during the day. Consuming enough protein is especially important for athletes and physically active people because it protects the muscles and facilitates calorie burn.

There is a rather creepy saying “The fewer legs, the better” to abide by when choosing the best type of protein. This means you should focus on lean protein from chicken, turkey or fish rather than pork, beef, or lamb.

Recipe suggestion: Herb-Roasted Chicken

#5 Eat Good Fats

Today, we are well aware that not all fats are harmful – avocado, fish nuts, nut butters, olive oil, seeds, flaxseed and flaxseed oil are your new best friends.

Still, no matter how good these fatty foods are, bear in mind that they are still fats and are quite high in calories. The fact remains that eating too many calories will eventually make you gain weight so make sure to consume the above-mentioned ingredients in moderation.

Recipe suggestion: Mexican Avocado Tartlets

A Few Additional Rules to Abide By

A healthy lifestyle is not limited to only choosing the right diet options. Here are a few pieces of advice that go beyond food.

Staying hydrated is just as important as eating well, so make sure you always carry a bottle of water with you. Alternatively, opt for unsweetened coffee and tea.

is just as important as eating well, so make sure you always carry a bottle of water with you. Alternatively, opt for unsweetened coffee and tea. Be physically active . Find a training program that works for you – take up a sport, try yoga, or visit the gym at least once a week. If you really don’t have the time to do this, try walking to work and back instead of using your car, take long walks in the park during the weekend, or take the stairs instead of the elevator.

. Find a training program that works for you – take up a sport, try yoga, or visit the gym at least once a week. If you really don’t have the time to do this, try walking to work and back instead of using your car, take long walks in the park during the weekend, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Use supplements . Regard food as your main fuel source and turn to supplements to obtain the nutrients you aren’t getting from food. Make sure to consult with your doctor or a registered nutritionist before you start.

. Regard food as your main fuel source and turn to supplements to obtain the nutrients you aren’t getting from food. Make sure to consult with your doctor or a registered nutritionist before you start. Sleep at least 7-8 hours during the night or take short naps during the day. Sleep helps the body recover and refresh, contributing to the overall well-being.

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And finally, it’s OK to motivate yourself with a guilty pleasure from time to time, you’ve deserved it!

I believe that food should not only taste good, but make you feel good as well and that is why I am so interested in exploring ingredients, preparing meals, and finding ways to make the whole cooking experience fun and exciting! Being a blogger for MyGreatRecipes unites my two passions – food and writing, and I am enjoying every second of it!