Eating healthy can help keep both your mental and physical health in top shape. For example, regularly eating healthy foods can give you energy and help you perform better in school, at work, and in the sports you enjoy.
If you to make your own meals, you can also save money—another huge incentive for embracing healthy eating.
These are some habits and tips I use to set myself up for success to get the most out of healthy eating.
I focus on natural foods
Instead of restricting or cutting out specific foods or food groups, look for which nutritious foods you can add into your diet. Aim for whole foods, which are unprocessed or minimally processed natural foods, like fruits and vegetables, rather than ultra-processed foods, like fruits in syrup and canned vegetables. Ultra-processed foods generally contain fewer nutrients and often contain ingredients you don’t want to eat, including added sugar and salt, artificial colors, or preservatives.
I know that eating whole unprocessed foods can also reduce my risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke later in life.