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Creating and sustaining good eating habits is a commitment to a better lifestyle in itself, it isn't a fad diet that comes and goes, but a permanent stature. Those who have good eating habits have maintained and steady healthy weight.

1. Breakfast
Eat breakfast every day. When one starts a diet, the first thing they do is think they need to stop eating breakfast so they are eating less already. This makes them extremely hungry and by the time lunch rolls over they will have already gorged on unhealthy foods and start eating twice as much for lunch, thus eating more. This is wrong, eating breakfast prepares you for the day, it also:

- improves your body's metabolism
- kick-starts your day
- you can concentrate easily
- sensible rule for weight loss
- you will be less likely to eat unhealthy snacks before or at lunch

2. Water
Drink 2l of water per day, every day. People underestimate the power of water. Water has a lot of health benefits including:
- hydrates the body so you can be active and alert
- increases metabolism
- improves the look of skin
- removes waste toxins from the body
- lowers cholesterol risks
- lowers blood pressure
- reduces the chance of kidney stones

3. Remove unhealthy snacks for alternatives
Eat healthy snacks. Instead of eating a crisp, chocolate bar or soda, why not go for these healthy, tasty snacks in replacement.
- Replace biscuits with flapjacks or oatcakes. The homemade varieties are the best as you know what goes into them. Commercial flapjacks and oatcakes tend to have too much sugar and fat.
- As an alternative for eating chocolate from the corner store, purchase dark chocolate instead, this contains 60% or more coca. The organic assortment is top of the range. They do not rot your teeth and have health benefits as it contains a high percentage of iron and magnesium.
- Substitute your energy drinks and sodas for an innovative, fresh home method. Mix together sparkling water with your favourite fruit. Blend strawberries together and add the sparkling water with ice cubes. This is perfect for a hot summer day.

4. A Balanced Diet
Eating food from all seven food groups: minerals, vitamins, fibre, carbohydrates, fats, proteins and water will ensure that you get all the essentials to stay healthy. Throughout the day you can incorporate fruit, vegetables and wholegrain in snacks and meals. Eat apples, strawberries, blueberries or oranges as snacks. Include potatoes, lentils, aubergines, peas, mushrooms and other vegetables in lunch, dinner and snacks. Replace white bread with brown bread to get your whole grain.

5. Portions
Observe your portion sizes. Choose portions that are ideal for your lifestyle. The more active you are the more you will have to eat. Do not overindulge in enormous snacks, but snack appropriately and wisely. This over time will become first nature in choosing and eating appropriate portion sizes. You can also watch this by stopping eating when you are full, instead of finishing the whole meal or snack.

Once you get the hang of controlling and optimising your eating habits to work for you, you definitely are on your way to a healthier lifestyle. It doesn't really take an Einstein to figure it out!

Learn more about this author, Manal S Ali.
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