Jan023 Tips for Resolution Nutrition
It’s January which means…RESOLUTIONS galore across the nation! Every year, millions of us make vows to have a more healthy lifestyle. , I have identified three simple ideas designed to help you reach your nutritional goals. For the New Year, the best ideas are budget friendly and easy to implement.
Below are 3 tips to use to start 2014!
1. Portion Control : Portion size should be a big focus for you. Here’s the trick: all you need is a fist full of vegetables, fist full of starches ( for the times when you do eat things like quinoa, sweet potatos etc ) and a palm full of proteins in each meal. If you stick with just veggies and protein up your veggies and double the portion. The best snacks (two to three per day) should also be balanced similarly in terms of the amount. Of course these are general guidelines and some people will need more or less.
2. Bang for your buck cooking: Eating healthy isn’t always the most convenient, let alone the most budget friendly but it is important to be able to fuel your body wisely at a cost you can afford. With proteins, it’s pretty easy because we can use eggs as for a cheap breakfast or dinner. An omelet or scramble with leftover vegetables and some cheese is an easy way to go. Or, a favorite of those on the go is a hard-boiled egg (good for a protein boost before a workout too). Black beans are another low-cost option great for protein as well as fiber and iron. Look for deals on meat at your local grocery store and take advantage of these and stock up when you can.
Produce can be hard to keep fresh so that can make it tough to someone looking to save $. Remember, some produce can be bought frozen and still be a very healthy addition to any meal. Frozen green beans and peas are great choices and the shelf life of fresh carrots is good as welll.
3. Watch what you drink: Do you have an extra 500 calories a day to dedicate to sugary drinks? My guess is probably not! Specialty coffee drinks, energy drinks, juices, bottled teas and sodas are huge contributors to our daily sugar intake. Energy drinks have become so popular these days mostly because people think they provide a quick fix for energy. Really those drinks just end up adding pounds and a hole in your pocket book. An average energy drink can cost about $3 for twelve ounces. If you drink one a day, five times a week, that’s nearly $800 a year and nearly 3,000 extra calories added to your weekly consumption. to your weekly consumption. Stick with water and unsweetened green tea.