Food habits have changed in the recent decades. For saving time and money, people have learned to live on junk foods, even those which are unhealthy. Life in the fast lane has brought in quite a number of unhealthy eating habits. Next time when you put up a lame excuse to avoid cooking healthy food or even buying them, think seriously if you are putting your health at stake. It is high time you implement some healthy changes in your eating habits. Small changes in the eating habits can put a number of health problems at bay.
1. Avoid Animal Proteins
When someone says animal protein is bad, you think only about the fat in the meat we consume. Yes, the excessive fat contributes to the bad cholesterol and makes you unhealthy. But is it that simple? It doesn’t seem so. It has been proved that excessive intake of animal proteins can cause cancer. Most of the common food items like cheese, milk, meat, butter, and fish fall in this category. Food from animal sources takes long time to digest and hence will make you feel bloated after consumption. Many people also mix them with acidic food like carbonated soft drinks. It is an unhealthy practice. A better option would always be fruits and vegetables which are more basic in nature.
2. Reduce consumption of Dairy Products
For many of us diary products are something which cannot be avoided at all. But do you think they are as nutritious as they used to be? Most of the diary products lose their nutritious value after they are subjected to the long refining process. Sticking to vegetarian products like soya milk or almond milk offers better health.
3. Reduce usage of refined oils
Have you ever tried cooking without oils? We should minimize the consumption of oil. Try frying vegetables without oil. Try to shallow fry than deep fry. The best option to get oil is to use nuts and seeds while cooking. Most of the refined oils have no fiber content in them and does not provide any benefit to your health.
4. Change the way you cook
Though it might take a little longer to cook vegetables without oil, it is always a healthier way. Instead of roasting items like cutlets and patties coat them with peanut powder and roast them. The oil that is released from the peanut powder is enough to cook them.
5. Use whole grain food items
A fiber rich diet is essential for a healthy living. Fibers present in the food help to clean our digestive system. Most of the fiber and nutrients are in the skin of the vegetables. Neglecting this fact most of us remove the skin of the vegetables before we cook. Many people prefer not to eat brown rice and whole wheat bread. But they are fiber rich and good for health.
6. Avoid excessive washing and use steam for cooking
Washing vegetables, fruits, and grains is good for removing the pesticides. But it should be kept in mind that thorough washing and excessive usage of water to cook the food can also wash the nutrients. Steaming the vegetables is a better option to cook them compared to boiling. Steaming requires less water while cooking and more nutrients are retained in the food. Chopping vegetables and then washing them is also a common practice that must be avoided. This practice also removes nutrients from the food.
7. Controlled consumption of fruits
It is a fact that the consumption of fruit after a heavy meal can cause gastric disorders and thus discomfort. The fruits get digested faster than the other foods and release gas that might affect digestion. It doesn’t mean not to have fruits at all. Avoid combining them with meals. Eat fruits after sometime as snacks.