We are now in an age where living to 100 is far from impossible. In fact, they say the first person to live to 200 has already been born. So, what has changed over the past few hundreds years to keep us alive for increasingly long periods of time. We haven’t really evolved that much as a species in terms of our physical make up. Instead, what has evolved is our attitude towards our health and diet.
We are now collectively making a real effort to live better and longer. We take care with what we eat – with innumerable Instagram bloggers and celebrity chefs telling us exactly what we should and shouldn’t put in our bodies. We also work out a lot more, increasingly so as we continue to uncover the physical and mental benefits of having an active lifestyle.
If you haven’t already jumped on the health bandwagon and need a bit of a push to kick yourself into gear here are some health tips.
Cut Calories But Eat More Food
Yes, you read that right. Of course, reducing the amount of food you eat will help you lose weight but that isn’t the be all and end all of the situation. It has actually been proven that if you pile your plate high with vegetables and whole grains and just cut down on high calorie food, you will be a lot healthier.
A study showed that people in Okinawa, Japan, actually consume more food by weight than people in the West. Despite this, they were significantly healthier and had far lower obesity rates. This is good news for people with a big appetite. You don’t need to starve, you just need to eat selectively.
Be Smart With Your Snacks
If you know you have a tendency to snack then do something to accommodate for this without compromising your diet. Instead of running to the shop to buy crisps, candy and sugary drinks, have some nuts, dried fruit or carrot sticks on hand to keep your hunger at bay.
Drink Lots of Water
This one seems obvious but you would be amazed at how many people do not drink enough water. Drinking plenty of water has all manner of health benefits but when it comes to your diet, it can be a great, calorie-free way to sate your appetite. Experts recommend drinking a big glass of water before you eat a meal. This will fill you up a bit beforehand and stop you from over-eating.
Stick to Lean Protein
While a big, juicy hamburger might sound appealing, the high fat content of red meat can wreak havoc on your body. If you are a meat eater then you should be getting your protein from leaner meats such as chicken and fish. If you are desperate for red meat, try and get your hands on some alpaca, which is one of the leanest meats around. For veggies looking to get some lean protein, seeds, tofu and avocados will all do the trick.
Learn to Love Green Tea
If you need a little pick me up in the morning or a palate cleanser after a heavy meal then you should try switching up your coffee for a cup of green tea. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants and has just enough caffeine to satisfy your craving, but not as much as coffee. Drink a cup of this every day and you will start to feel the difference in no time.
