Eating Healthy When Eating Out

If you go out to a restaurant to eat, you probably watch your calories very closely.  To assist you

with your calorie watching when dining out, these tips will help you make the most of it.

-  Always order salad dressings or sauces on the side, as this way you have control over how much you add to your meal.

-  When you order grilled fish or vegetables, you should ask that the food be grilled without butter or oil, or prepared with very little or either or.

-  Anytime you order pasta dishes, be on the lookout for tomato based sauces instead of the cream based sauces.  Tomato based sauces are much lower in fat and calories, and tomato sauce can even be counted as a vegetable!

-  You should always try to drink water, diet soda, or tea instead of soda or beverages that contain 

alcohol.  

-  If you order dessert, share with a friend. Half  of the dessert will equal half of the calories.

-  When you choose a soup, remember that cream  based soups are higher in fat and calories than

other soups.  A soup can be a great appetizer, as most are low in calories and you fill you up pretty

fast.

-  When ordering a baked potato, ask for salsa instead of sour cream, butter, cheese, or even bacon.  Salsa is very low in calories and provides a healthy alternative with plenty of flavor and spice.

-  When you are full, stop eating.  Listen to your body and what it tells you.

-  If you get full, take half of your meal home.  The second portion of your meal can serve as a second

meal later.  This way, you get two meals for the price of one.

-  If you're looking to eat less, order two appetizers or an appetizer and a salad as your meal.

-  If you get a choice of side dishes, get a baked potato or steamed vegetables instead of french 

fries.  

-  Always look for food on the menu that's baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed.  These types

of cooking use less fat in the cooking process and are usually much lower in calories.

-  Plain bread or rolls are low in both fat and calories.  When you add the butter and oil, you increase the fat and calorie intake.

-  As key ingredients to your meal, choose dishes with fruits and vegetables.  Both fruits and vegetables are great sources of dietary fiber as  well as many vitamins and minerals.

-  Choose foods made with whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and dishes made with brown rice.

-  If you crave dessert, look for something with low fat, such as berries or fruit.

-  Always remember not to deprive yourself of the foods you truly love.  All types of foods can fit

into a well balanced diet.

Tag: Eating Healthy When Eating Out, Eating Healthy On Vacation, Healthy Eating Tips, Eating For A Healthy Heart, Eating Healthy For Students, Eating Healthy For Vegetarians,

Eating Healthy On Vacation

It can be very tempting to abandon your good sense of healthy eating on vacation.  Although you may strive for healthy eating, it's easy to drift off and grab an ice cream cone here and there.  There are however, ways to watch what you eat on  vacation.

It's easier than ever these days to request a low fat or vegetarian meal on airplane flights.  If  you choose to instead drive to your destination,  the quest to find healthy food can get a bit more complicated.

Rather than simply relying on greasy foods for nutrition, pack some nutritious foods in a cooler full of ice packs.  Fruits and vegetables, crackers, yogurt, and sandwiches are all great to have with  you on the road.  

Once you arrive at your hotel, you should do  yourself a favor and turn the minibar key down - as this helps to avoid the temptation.  If your hotel offers a continental breakfast, stick to fruits, cereals, and proteins.  If your hotel has a stove or microwave, consider bringing your own healthy food with you.

If you simply must eat out, do so only when you  are hungry.  Restaurants will usually serve large portions, so be careful.  If you do go a bit over on a meal, simply cut back on the next.  

If you find it hard to fit in three square meals a day, try to fit in six smaller meals or snacks, as your body needs fuel every four hours or so. When you eat out, avoid appetizers.  Whatever you do, do not miss any meals.

When it's possible, you should avoid eating large meals at night.  When your body gets ready for sleep and slows down, it also burns calories at a much slower pace.  Never eat bread before bed, and

make sure to avoid the butter.  Choose fish or poultry for your meal instead, and include  vegetables as a side dish.  

Even though it may sound hard, eating healthy on vacation isn't really that difficult.  All you have to do is use a little will power, and pass up foods that you know aren't good for you.  This way, you'll enjoy healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle wherever you go.

The next time you go on a vacation, always remember that eating healthy is a way of life.  You can 

afford to get something you crave, although you shouldn't make a habit of it.  One ice cream 

cone or a pizza isn't going to matter - as long as you know when to stop.

Tag: Eating Healthy On Vacation, Healthy Eating Tips, Healthy Food, Eating Healthy For Vegetarians, 

Eating Healthy On The Run

Whether your traveling on the go or around the home, you don't need to give up healthy eating simply because you are on the run.  The fact is, healthy eating is even more important when your trying to keep up with a busy schedule.

Having a good diet will help your body to handle stress better.  As you hustle about, a healthy meal

is probably the last thing you think about.  The following tips can help you eat when your on the go.

Restaurants

With tempting menus, large portions, and a festive atmosphere, it's easy to skip healthy eating.  It's

okay to splurge every now and then, although you'll pack on a lot of weight if you make it a habit.  

When you eat out at restaurants, always be smart about it.

Airports

An airport can be a very stressful place, although you shouldn't scrap your diet because of it.  Eat

because you are hungry, not because of stress, boredom, or to kill time.

In your car

Keep some healthy snacks in your car at all times, so that when you get hungry - you have them.

At home 

Evenings and mornings are busy times in most homes. Making the time to eat can be hard, although you shouldn't run out the door without eating breakfast first.  Cereal with milk, a banana, muffin, or even a bagel is a great way to start the day.

Anytime you are on the go, always make sure that you make the right food decisions.  You can take healthy food with you if you need to, so that you have it when you need it.  Eating healthy on the go is easy to do, once you know how.  Never sacrifice healthy food for junk, as your body will regret it later.

Tag: Eating Healthy On The Run, Changing How You Eat, Eating For A Healthy Heart, Healthy Food, 

Eating Healthy For Vegetarians

The vegetarian way of eating can be a very healthy style of eating.  The rules still apply with healthy eating, although you should add variety, balance, and moderation.

A vegetarian is someone who avoids all types of meat,  whether it be hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, or even fish. Vegetarians are also sometimes classified by the type of food they are or aren't willing to eat.  For example,  Lacto-ovo vegetarians will avoid animal flesh yet they  will eat eggs and most dairy products.  A Vegan on the  other hand, will avoid all food that has any trace of  animal origin.

Because they don't eat meet, vegetarians will often  wonder how they'll get enough protein. Although you may not realize it, the average American actually consumes more protein than he actually needs. For the lacto-ovo vegetarian, dairy products are an excellent source of  protein. Vegans on the other hand, get their protein  from nuts, seeds, and soy products.

Along the lines of beans, there are several to choose  from, including green or red lentils, peanuts, split peas, pinto, soy, kidney, and many more.  Some of them you are already familiar, such as kidney beans in  chili, refried beans in Mexican dishes, red beans and rice, and pinto beans.  Although some beans taste good as they are, others are available with different flavors to help enhance their taste. Nuts are hihg in protein, although they deliver a lot more fat than beans, which means you should enjoy them in moderation.  By having  one cup of cooked beans, you'll get the same amount of protein as eating two ounces of meat!

The nutrients of concern for vegans, who avoid all types of animal food, are vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D. In the average North American diet, the primary source for B12 is animals.  To have an adequate intake of B12,  vegans should reguarly consume vitamin B12 supplements or foods, which contain vitamin B12, such as soy products or milk.  

For calcium, vegans can rely on orange juice or soy  milk, as they are fortified with calcium.  Beans and  leafy green vegetables will also contain some calcium as well. 

Although all types of vegetarians rely on simple food groups, controlling your vitamins and calcium intake is something you should always do.  This is very important for eating healthy, as well as staying healthy.  If you control what you eat, you'll have many years of healthy eating ahead of you.

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Eating Healthy For Students

For students, eating at college is an entire new ball game, with late night pizza delivery and food from buggies.  Even though some of these quick and simple options taste great, they are probably  not healthy for a student's body.  

The food choices students make can affect whether or not they are able to remain awake during class and whether or not they will come down with  mononucleosis when it hits campus.  The problem is not only about eating junk food, it's more  about not getting the proper proteins, carbs,  vitamins, and minerals that people need.

When it comes to defending against illnesses, vitamins and minerals are very important.  Just because they are important, isn't a reason for students to run out and stock up on vitamins and supplements.  It's best for students to get their nutrition from food.

You can find vitamin C in citric fruits, Vitamin A in milk and diary products, and vitamin E in  nuts, whole wheat products, and even green leafy vegetables.  This is the ideal way to get  nutrition, as your body relies on these vitamins for many reasons.

When you eat on campus, skip on the soda's and  go right to the juice machines.  Explore the different entrees available and go to the salad bar where there are fresh vegetables.  You can also try putting some broccoli and cauliflower in the microwave for steamed vegetables.  There are always healthy cereals and plenty of fresh fruit available in dining halls as well.

Always remember that eating healthy isn't just about avoiding greasy foods.  Eating healthy involves getting a balanced diet and getting the right nutrients and vitamins to keep your body in peak performance - or at least awake during your classes.

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Eating Healthy During Pregnancy

Starting off your with a healthy well balanced diet is the best thing you do for yourself and your baby.  This way, you'll only need to make a few adjustments during your pregnancy.

Your first trimester

If you find it tough to maintain a balanced diet during your first trimester, you can rest assured that your not alone.  Due to queasiness, some  women will eat all of the time and gain a lot of  weight in the process.  Other women have trouble getting food down and subsequently lose weight.  

Preventing malnutrition and dehydration are your most important factors during first trimester.  

Calories

When you are pregnant, you need to consume around 300 calories more than usual every day.  The best way to go about doing this is listening to your  body when you are hungry.  You should try to eat

as many foods as possible from the bottom of the food pyramid.

If you gain weight too slow, try eating small  meals and slightly increase the fat in your diet. You should always eat when you are hungry, as you are now eating for 2 instead of one.

Calcium

By the second trimester, you'll need around 1,500 milligrams of calcium each day for your bones and

your baby', which is more than a quart of milk.  Calcium is something that's missing from many  diets.  Along with milk, other great sources for calcium include dairy products, calcium fortified

juices, and even calcium tablets.

Fiber

Fiber can help to prevent constipation, which is a common pregnancy problem.  You can find fiber in whole grains, fruits, and even vegetables.  Fiber supplements such as Metamucil and Citrucel are  safe to take during pregnancy.

Protein

Unless you happen to be a strict vegetarian, your protein intake is not normally a problem for women

who eat a healthy diet.

Iron 

A lot of women will start their pregnancy off with a bit of iron deficiency.  Good sources of iron include dark leafy green vegetables and meats.  Iron supplements should be avoided, as they can cause internal symptoms such as cramping, constipation, or diarrhea.  

Vitamins

Seeing as how you get a majority of the vitamins you need in your diet, you may want to discuss prenatal vitamins with your doctor.  Folate is one of the most important, and if you are getting enough of it, you may be able to avoid vitamins all together - just ask your doctor to make sure.

Tag : Eating Healthy During Pregnancy, healthy eating, Healthy Eating Tips, Healthy Food, Healthy Heart, Vitamin,  Fiber, Calcium, Protein, Iron, Pregnancy food

Eating For A Healthy Heart

Bad cholesterol or a bad diet is something we all experience at some point in time.  It's impossible

to eat healthy our whole lives, even though we may try hard to do it.  Eating healthy for your heart

is something everyone should try to do, especially when it comes to restoring health and reducing

heart attacks.

Your heart and food We know these things for sure - a diet high in saturated fats will help raise your cholesterol,  which is a risk factor for heart disease.  People that are obese are more prone to heart disease.  A diet high in sodium may elevate your blood pressure, leading to inflammation and even heart disease.

To help prevent heart disease and improve your health, put the tips below to good use.

Eat plenty of fish Herring, sardines, and salmon are all excellent sources of Omega 3 essential fatty acids.  Other fish are great to, although Omega 3 may help to get your cholesterol down to a healthier level.

Choosing healthy fats and oils

Saturated fat will increase the risk of heart disease. It's found in meat, butter, and even coconut oil. You should avoid them until your cholesterol levels are  down and you are at a healthy weight.  Even those that love red meats can enjoy seafood and nuts for their main sources of protein.

Monounsaturated fats such as olive oils will help  you to protect your heart.  Olive oil is an ideal choice for cooking, dressing, or even as a dipping sauce.

Plenty of fiber

Fiber can help you control your cholesterol.  You  can find fiber in whole grain products to help control sugar absorption as well, which will help you keep your digestive system healthy.

Choosing carbohydrates

Eating for your heart involves staying away from sugary foods such as candy, cookies, cakes, and pastries.  Eating a lot of sugar isn't good for  your heart disease at all.  Healthy carbohydrates involve whole grain breads, whole grain pasta, brown rice, and a lot of vegetables.  You should make fruits and vegetables the main aspect of your diet.

Healthy cooking methods

Stir frying and sauteing with olive oil or canola oil are both great methods, as you shouldn't dip your food in batter and fry it anymore.  If you cook chicken, remove the skin and bake it in the oven in foil.

Instead of frying your fish you should always bake it.  Steaming your vegetables can help maintain the most nutrients.  You should use cream sauces or lots of butter anymore either.  When you eat vegetables,  try squeezing lemon juice on them or using your  favorite seasonings.

As you make the proper changes to your diet, keep in mind that it takes time for them to become habits.   Eating healthy is always great for your body and your lifestyle, especially when it comes to your heart and the prevention of heart disease.

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