We all want to eat healthy, but knowing how to accomplish that goal isn’t always straightforward. There are lots of diets, advice, and misinformation out there to sift through on your path toward better health, and on top of all that, no two bodies are exactly the same. So how can you pursue more healthy eating habits at your student apartments in Louisville without becoming overwhelmed or wasting your efforts on unsustainable “solutions?”
We have a few simple tips that actually work and aren’t difficult to implement. They’re not diets, they won’t cost you anything, and they don’t promote unrealistic or disordered eating habits. So let’s get to these tips, shall we?
Listen To Your Body
First and foremost, listen to your body. Sometimes the way your body communicates with you may feel confusing or frustrating, but in general, it’s important to eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re sated (not overly full), and pay attention to how different foods make your body feel. If certain foods make you feel bloated, lethargic, or otherwise uncomfortable, talk about that with a doctor—it may be worth restricting or eliminating that food from your diet.
Vary The Types of Foods You Eat
Your body needs a variety of nutrients, and the easiest way to ensure you’re eating a balanced diet is to vary the types of foods you eat on a daily or per-meal basis. If you had something starchy in the morning, maybe incorporate something green and fiber-rich at lunch; if you had lots of protein for dinner, consider grabbing something fruity the next morning; and so on. Did you have a lot of carbohydrates yesterday? Consider focusing a little more on the other food groups today. Getting variety not only keeps you from getting too bored, it’s also one of the easiest ways to make sure you’re getting the various nutrients you need.
As an important note, we don’t necessarily recommend counting all your macros and restricting your intake based on rigid daily goals (which can lead to disordered eating, especially when done without the guidance of a doctor). Instead, having a more flexible goal of pursuing variety can help you get more of the nutrients you need without creating disordered eating habits.
Cook At Home More Often
Ordering takeout can be delicious and convenient, but preparing meals at home is a great way to stay in control of what you eat and how much. You can more easily avoid unnecessarily large portions and seek out the nutrients you need at the time. Plus, anything you don’t eat becomes leftovers, making it that much easier to avoid ordering food the next day, too.
Limit Added Sugars
Added sugars are more common than our bodies need them to be, so a little awareness can go a long way in making sure your sugar intake is healthy. Avoid sugary drinks when you can, as well as candies, processed foods, and desserts. Most people don’t need to eliminate these things entirely, but being thoughtful of how often you’re gravitating toward something with a lot of added sugar—perhaps even a surprising amount—can help you avoid empty calories and choose food that does a better job of fueling your body.
Everything In Moderation
Nothing in excess. You don’t need a crash diet or quick fix; you need sustainable, healthy choices that make your body feel great and work well. That means take everything in moderation. No need to radically change your diet, eliminate foods completely, or start eating truly insane amounts of vegetables (unless directed to do so by a doctor). Most people can accomplish a healthy diet and feel great with just the tips we’ve listed above.
That’s it for our healthy eating tips! If you appreciated this post and would like to see more of our tips, recommendations, and features, be sure to bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! And make sure you’re following us on Instagram so you stay in the know about special offers and community updates for residents of our apartments near U of L.