Eat green leafy, red or orange
vegetables and fruits every day. These vegetables contain beta-carotene,
lycopene, and other antioxidants that are good for you.
Week #9: Choose Fat Free Protein
Once or twice a week skip red
meat. Eat fish, shrimp, chicken without the skin, tofu, and beans or lentils.
Use fat free or 1% milk and yogurt, or drink rice or almond milk.
Week #10: Go For Fruit Power!
Drink less juice and eat more
fruit. Most juices contain extra sugars; if you have to have juice, stick to
100% juice with no sugar added. Fruits are better because they contain fiber,
which is not only good for you, but fills you up as well.
Week #11: Read About Food & Nutrition
Educate yourself about what foods
are good for you. Read books or magazines, or surf the net. Browse the aisles
of the local health food store for food tips.
Week #12: Choose Your Groceries Carefully
Avoid impulse buying. Make a
weekly menu and grocery list. Keep your list of menus and rotate meals monthly.
Avoid having the same meals every week.
Week #13: Cook Creatively!
Try a new vegetable, fruit, or
other food every week or two. Search the Internet or magazines for recipes that
include your new food item.
Week #14: Choose Carefully at
Restaurants
Avoid overindulging yourself with
too many “treats.” Be a moderate eater and drinker. Splurge on an appetizer or
dessert. Stick to one glass of wine, beer, or other liquor.
Week #15: Get Enough Sleep
Try to sleep at least seven to
eight hours every night. Studies show that not getting enough sleep may cause
you to overeat the next day.
Heleigh Bostwick is a
freelance writer who writes on a variety of topics, including health and
nutrition. She is the Editor of Parenting Multiples.