What Dietitians Can Teach Us About Healthy Eating

Registered dietitians tell all when it comes to healthy eating tips and tricks. While they counsel everyone else about their daily eating habits, how is it they can maintain their own healthy diets in a world that is fuelled by fast food and convenience food items?

Sometimes the holidays and cold weather can make us forget our health goals, and we forget to go back to them when the holiday season is done. Winter is a time of heavier food, and the cold can make exercise difficult.

Here are 5 healthy eating tips and tricks for making and sticking to their healthier eating habits, and urge everyone out there to take the chance and make a change for the better.

#1. If You Must Eat Out, Do It Wisely

Many people I know love eating out at different cafes and restaurants. They love trying out alternative places almost as much as they love returning to their old favourite spots. While everyone out there cannot be home all the time and have a fresh, hot cooked meal on the table, those that have to eat on the road should consider eating healthier.

Choosing healthier meals on the go from fast-food joints can reduce the number of fats, sugars and salts that you take in. Exposing yourself to fast food at least once or twice out of the month, while making healthier decisions, can also reduce the amount of fast food you want.

#2. Limit Your Diet Soda Intake

Drinking a reasonable amount of diet soda a day, such as a can or two, isn't likely to hurt you. The artificial sweeteners and other chemicals currently used in diet soda are safe for most people, and there's no credible evidence that these ingredients cause cancer.

Many people think that since they are consuming diet sodas, they are consuming less sugar so they can drink an infinite amount throughout the day. Want a large greasy meal? Drink a diet soda to offset the number of fat and other non-nutritional food you eat. This is untrue. The more diet sodas you drink, the more sugar and carbs you’re exposing yourself too. One can of soda a day, or a week, is sufficient.

#3. Have A Pizza Night

Everyone loves pizza, and build-your-own pizzas are the craze right now, with chains popping up everywhere. When it comes to pizza night with the family, opt for a different type of pizza.

Ask for a whole grain crust, extra tomato sauce and top with veggies instead of choosing the chicken wings on the side, choose a salad or fruits. This balances out the unhealthy aspects of pizza but still allows you to order out from time to time.

#4. Pump Up The Protein And Fibre

Protein and fibre throughout the day are ideal to have. Not only can they keep you motivated and moving, but they are essential nutrients to keep you feeling good. Skip breakfast choices that are low on both, and go with whole grains, fresh fruits and yoghurts. A strong, healthy breakfast can keep you going the entire day.

Protein is also used to create red blood cells, and it helps keep your hair, skin, and fingernails healthy. It's responsible for helping produce antibodies, which fight off bacteria, viruses and germs, and helps keep your immune system running strong. Studies show that people low on protein are more likely to get sick than people who eat enough of this nutrient.

#5. Only Have Alcohol On Weekends

If you have to have alcohol and you like it, keep it on the weekends. Alcohol can rack up calories pretty quickly, leading to a nice beer belly, even if you practice healthy eating.

If there’s one thing that blurs the line between friend and foe, it’s alcohol. One glass of wine can easily morph into two. Then add shots to the mix, and your casual night out gets sloppy fast.

When you limit how much you consume, either on the weekends or just twice a month, you’re limiting the number of calories you take in.

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