7 Things Every Nutritionist Wants You to Know

Sharon Moore October 23, 2014

Most of the time, getting fit and healthy is a difficult challenge. There’s just way too much information out there about what we should or should not do. For instance, some say we should avoid snacking, whilst other say we should have several mini-meals per day. Other people say fat is bad, others say it’s not. Some recommend moderate physical activities, some say HIIT is best.

Despite the conflicting information about health, there are some guidelines that every nutritionist agrees. Here they are:

Don’t skip breakfast.

Breakfast is very important because it stimulates metabolism and gets you fuelled for the rest of the day. Choose something healthy for breakfast. Go for protein-rich options like eggs, lean chicken, fish, fruits, or vegetables.

Favour real, whole foods.

If that pre-packed meal you purchased from the grocery store has several ingredients you can’t pronounce clearly, chances are, it is loaded with chemicals, sugars and additives that don’t just make you fat, but sick as well. Always opt for the source. If you want lemonade, make some using real lemons, and not just buy canned lemon juice. If you want soup, go make one from real vegetables and some lean meat, rather than the powder mix. You can only get quality nutrition from real, whole foods.

Eat only when you’re hungry.

Whether you’re used to eating only 3 regular meals a day, or 5 smaller meals per day, learn how to listen to your body. Eat when your body needs fuel, and stop when you have filled the tank. Try to eat slowly. Satiety registers to your brain after about 30 minutes. So if you eat way too fast, you may tend to overeat.

Water is indispensable.

Whatever you do, wherever you are, make sure to have a bottle of water with you. Sipping throughout the day is a simple way to replenish fluids you lose when you’re engaged in physical activities. Hydration is also a top secret to weight loss.

It’s okay to cheat.

Indulging in your favourite not-so-healthy meal is okay, if you do it once in a while and not make it a daily habit. If you have been very good at observing a healthy diet for the entire week, spare a Sunday treating yourself at your favourite restaurant.

Limit fast food.

It’s better to prepare your meals at home. You don’t just get to control the serving sizes; you also get to choose the best, healthy ingredients.

Ditch sugary drinks.

They are nothing but sugar. They don’t do your body any good. They only cause spikes in your blood sugar level, which makes you feel lethargic after a few hours.

Dieting is not simply restricting your food intake. We should all take a holistic approach to nutrition. These 7 important notes can actually bring you closer to weight loss and good health.