Simple Tips To Get Healthy and Keep The Weight Off

Today is all about simple tips to get healthy and keep (or lose) the weight.  In just a few short weeks, summer will be gone, the kids will be back to school AND we will be thinking about the holiday season.  No, I am not trying to rush it BUT it does creep up faster than we want sometimes.

We have all heard that it is “just a matter of eating a little more healthily and moving a little bit more’.  I don’t know about you but that doesn’t always work for me.  Hubby would say that I eat like a rabbit – lots of healthy stuff but I still struggle with my weight.

So, if you are like me, here is quick guide to some foods that might just offer a helping hand when it comes to tackling health and weight in a simple and manageable way.

Avocado: Use it for: High Cholesterol.  A recent study showed that  consuming an avocado a day (as part of a moderate fat diet) could actually help to reduce your cholesterol.  Yes, they are high in fat, BUT most of their fat content is  ‘good’ fat, that helps to lower cholesterol, reduce risk of stroke and heart attack, and improve heart health in general.

Oily Fish: Use it for: Reduced Risk of Arthritis.
Did you know that you can reduce the risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis by eating just one serving of oily fish every week, according to  the Annals of Rheumatoid Diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes swelling, inflammation and stiffness in our joints, and is most common among the over 50s.

Almonds: Use it for: High Blood Pressure and heart disease.  We all know that nuts can be a great source of protein and “good” fats, but many people steer clear of them because of their high calorie content. Believe it or not, almonds actually have one of the lowest calorie contents of most nuts.  Eating just 50g of almonds a day could help to reduce blood pressure, and improve blood flow, and as a result could reduce your risk of heart disease too.  They are a great source of protein too so they will help you stay full longer and give you some energy (or at least it works for me).

Bowl of Oatmeal Use it for: Reduced risk of diabetes
I LOVE oatmeal.  I will admit that I didn’t eat it as a child but now it is part of my weekly menu.  It is a rich source of fiber, and oats have been found to help in stabilising our blood sugar levels, which prevents that mid-morning slump. Oats are also a great source of magnesium – a mineral that helps to regulate our insulin and glucose levels.  I love to use Almond Milk and fresh fruit in mine.  No time?  Don’t use the microwave oatmeal with lots of “chemicals” try overnight oats.  Place 1/2 cup oats with cinnamon, all spice 1 tablespoon of flax seed, 1 chopped apple and 1 cup of almond milk in a plastic container.  I leave this in the fridge over night, the next morning I put it in the microwave for 4 minutes.  YUMMY oatmeal that has a hint of “apple pie”.  I also use blueberries or strawberries.  If I am running late, I pack it in my thermal and eat it at work.  What are some of YOUR best tips for eating healthy and keeping the weight off? Share them with us, we would love to hear from YOU!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!