When it comes to nutrition, I like the idea that the simplest solution is often the best one. As you know, there are countless approaches to eating but what’s important is that you find what works best for you through trial and error.  

Here, I’d like to give you 5 of my best nutrition tips for a healthier, leaner, and more energized body.

1. Eat Real Food

That stuff in boxes lining the shelves of the supermarket? That’s not food. That edible material in tins, cans, and plastic pouches with seemingly endless lists of ingredients? That’s not food either.

Eating real foods cools inflammation and re-establishes proper hormone communication, which automatically helps your body release fat it doesn’t need, while greatly improving all aspects of your health.

2. Eat More Alkaline Foods

Since your blood is the river that carries oxygen to your cells for energy production, any food or process that compromises the health of your blood or ruins your oxygen-carrying red blood cells will deplete your energy.

The key to keeping your blood (and oxygen) flowing properly throughout your body is to ensure it’s slightly alkaline. The easiest way to do that is to eat more alkaline foods like vegetables and fruit.

3. Eat When You’re Hungry, Stop When You’re 80 Percent Full

You know the feeling—you’re enjoying a meal, perhaps going for seconds or thirds, caught up in the bliss of it all; Half an hour later you feel as bloated as a beach ball.

You don’t need to eat until you’re full, and in fact, you’re probably “full” well before you think you are.

By tuning in to your body, you can learn to eat only when you’re truly hungry rather than when you’re stressed or anxious. Better yet, you can learn to stop when you’re 80 percent full.

If you find yourself craving food due to stress, then find an alternative like a quick burst of activity or meditation to change your focus and reduce your stress load.

4. Love Your Digestion or It Will Rebel

Feeling tired after a big holiday meal is not due to the small amount of tryptophan in the turkey. It’s thanks to the onslaught of food your stomach has had to somehow deal with all at once.

If you want to feel better and less exhausted on a day-to-day basis, then eat in a way that supports easier digestion.

Because digestion is such an energy-dependent function, any food or process that imposes more demand on or compromises your digestion will drain your energy. Since digestion consumes so much energy, eating less, paradoxically, can give you more energy (and has been shown to be one of the few ways to extend your life).

5. Be Mindful and Love What You Eat

So many of us lose our way because we live our lives on autopilot, never paying attention to what we’re doing or saying, thinking or feeling. This is especially true when it comes to eating.

It’s way too easy to eat two or three doughnuts as you drive to work in the morning, even easier to half-heartedly devour a large order of fries while you’re balancing a spreadsheet or preparing a report at work.

To prevent this, avoid eating while you’re watching TV or working at your computer. When you sit down to a meal, you should be focused on how your body feels and each and every bite that you take.

By doing this, you’re allowing yourself to feel true appreciation for the food you eat, and you’ll ultimately develop a more mindful approach to eating.

 

For more great nutrition tips, check out these helpful resources:

5 Diet Rules to Live By

6 Foods to Buy Organic (Never in Conventional Form)

The 5 Healthiest Dairy-Free Milk Alternatives

4 Good Carbs to Eat for a Flat Belly

How to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes: 3 Inexpensive Foods You Need to Know About

Is the Alkaline Diet Key to Cancer Prevention?

The Real Causes of Type 2 Diabetes (And How to Cure It)

How to Fix 9 of the Most Common Nutrient Deficiencies Naturally

Wheat-Free Diet: A 5-Step Detox Plan to Lose Your Belly

The Definitive Guide to the 12 Best Vegan Protein Sources

 

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