Healthy Eating for Healthy Living

When it comes to eating, there are many choices to be made. Every day, we have to decide what we want to eat and what we don’t want to eat. It’s not always easy to make the best choices. Factors like time, access and knowledge can make it even more difficult to make healthy choices on a day to day basis.
I have some good news: It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can make better choices no matter where you go. Whether you get food at the grocery store or you are at a restaurant, you can always choose something that is better than other options. You can also find options that are far worse. There are two keys to making these choices:
1. Know the difference between bad, better and best
2. Trusting yourself to make healthy choices even if you have to compromise
The first key: Know the difference between bad, better and best. Here are some examples of what you can choose and how these choices impact your day to day health:

Quarter Pounder w/ cheese
Calories: 510
Fat: 26 grams (Saturated fat: 12 grams)
Sodium: 1190 milligrams

Better- Roast Beef Sandwich
Calories: 350
Fat: 13 g (Saturated fat: 4.5 g)
Sodium: 960 mg

Best- Roast Beef Sandwich (homemade)
Calories: 225
Fat: 5 g (saturated fat: 2 g)
Sodium: 300 mg

Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Calories: 430
Fat: 15 g (Saturated fat: 3 g)
Sodium: 1240 mg

Better- Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Calories: 300
Fat: 7 g (Saturated fat: 2 g)
Sodium: 740 mg

Best- Chicken Breast Sandwich (sliced/homemade)
Calories: 220
Fat: 2 g (saturated fat: less than 1 g)
Sodium: 260 mg

As you can see, the leaner the meat, the lower the calories and healthier the sandwich is for you. Making a sandwich at home is not only cheaper, but it is much healthier for you.

Other substitutes that can save you some calories:

No cheese: save 50-100 calories, No mayo: save 50-150 calories, No soda: save 150-500 calories!

Portion Control: take part of your food home or back to work. Even splitting a meal into smaller segments can give you a lower calorie total for each meal, but allow you to keep metabolism burning and keep hunger under control throughout the day.

The best options will always be found at the grocery store, but if you have to choose between bad and better, at least you will have some options. Try these tricks and see the benefits of eating healthier! And remember: You don’t have to be perfect to eat better.