3 of 34

Write now Article Tools

A healthy lifestyle can be obtained by incorporating ten simple steps into our daily lives.

1. Diet.
To obtain and maintain a healthy lifestyle, we need to handle hunger. To stay full for a longer time, fill up on tasty but nutritious foods. Add more proteins, fruits and vegetables, high-fiber foods, low fat dairy like cottage cheese and yogurt, soups (avoid cream soups) and whole grains to a daily meal plan. Avoid hunger pains by eating a healthy snack or meal every two to three hours.

2. Drink water.
Drinking at least eight (8 oz) glasses of water per day keeps the body hydrated and flushes toxins out of vital organs. Drinking water after a meal helps break down the food in the stomach and can improve digestion.

3. Exercise.
Thirty to sixty minutes a day, five times a week. Adding thirty minutes of walking a day can help control weight while building and maintaining healthy muscles, bones, and joints. Moderate exercise can reduce the risk of several diseases while improving overall health. Walk your kids to school, jog with a friend, join a gym, or take two laps around the mall before shopping. Exercise can be fun when varied and the benefits are unlimited.

4. Avoid overeating at restaurants.
When dining out, avoid foods listed as fried or sauteed. Opt for marinara over Alfredo sauce. Look for menu items labeled "healthy" or LowCal/LowFat. Substituting steamed vegetables for french fries can save 17 grams of fat! Choose reduced-fat salad dressings. Not overly hungry? Order only an appetizer. If you must have the entree, box half before eating and save for the next day. At buffets, eat more fruits and vegetables.

5. Limit alcohol.
Many alcoholic beverages are laden with calories. Choose wisely when indulging. A pina colada has 260 calories but a glass of sweet white wine has only 90 calories. Use an online calorie counter like WastedCalories.com to compare other beverages.

6. Sleep.
For optimum mind and body function, sleep is vital. Inadequate amounts of sleep can decrease concentration and reaction times as well as cause mood swings and memory loss. Adults need to sleep an average of eight hours and children need eight to ten hours.

7. Read food labels and nutrition charts.
Know what is in your food. Taking in too many calories or too many grams of fat, sugar and sodium will decrease the body's ability to function at its peak level. Be aware of serving sizes for prepackaged foods. Check out nutritional charts available on-line for most quick-service restaurants.

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Ten steps to a healthy lifestyle?
We want to hear your view. Write now!