Your health is your wealth. Nutrition is pivotal in living healthy. Although food is the best medicine, it’s not just about what you eat and everyone is different. Here are 10 universal nutrition tips that everyone can apply to live a healthier, happier life! 1.  Eat REAL Food:

REAL, whole food comes from the earth. Our bodies operate on whole foods, just like our ancestors did, so why would we put processed chemicals that we can’t even pronounce into our bodies? Don’t eat less, just eat less packaged food. Regardless of whether you eat meat, vegan, vegetarian, etc., clean eating is the way to go. Whole foods are like putting the best gas in a car, they stimulate our bodies to work, grow, move, think, and fight disease most efficiently, from the inside out (from organs, digestion, muscles, bones, to skin, hair, and nails.)

2.  Drink Up:

We’re made of water, and we need water to live (although the majority of Americans are dehydrated. Are you?) It’s easy to drink water when it’s right in front of you, so carry a reusable water bottle everywhere you go. FYI: Water means water…not soda, coffee, beer, or sports drinks. Cheers!

3.  Eat Local & Seasonal:

The best way to get quality, tasty food at the best price (while supporting your local farmers) is to eat local and seasonal. Eating local ensures that you’re getting the absolute freshest food possible. Eating with the season provides your body with what it wants and ensures that you don’t get bored of the same old things. Think pumpkin in the fall and watermelon in the summer! Along with eating local, eat the rainbow! Variety is key, especially with produce, to guarantee that your body gets as many nutrients as possible. Your plate is your palette – be the artist and be colorful!

4.  Read Labels:

Though we should be eating mostly whole foods that don’t have labels at all (ie: apples, tomatoes, and lettuce.) For foods with a label, watch out for added sugar, artificial flavors, colors, and dyes. If the ingredient list is long or you can’t pronounce something, it’s a red flag that it’s something you probably shouldn’t be eating. If the big writing on the label says “healthy” or “natural,” that actually means very little because there are no clear standards behind either of these terms. To ensure that you’re on the right track, just eat more foods without labels (fruits & veggies) and be sure to pay attention to the ingredient lists on labels, not just the front of the package.

5.  Try New Things:

There are so many nutritious foods out there. Try incorporating one new food or recipe a week. Pretty soon, you’ll have a whole repertoire of nutritious foods!

6.  Rely on Staples:

Try new things, but if you love certain foods that you know are healthy, go ahead and eat them often! Spinach, salmon, brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes are some great staple examples – they’re nutritious and delicious.

7.  Food is FUEL:

Start to rethink the role of food in your life. Eating isn’t a hobby; food is fuel for your body. Although food can be celebratory and give us great pleasure, keep in mind that food nourishes your body, it’s not a hobby to do when you’re bored. Food provides us energy to carry out our day. It’s pretty simple: if you put crap in your body, you’re going to feel crappy. If you fuel your body with nutrient-dense foods, you’re going to feel healthier, stronger, energized, and alive.

8.  Upgrade Your Favorites:

Even if you’re a lover of all things pizza and chocolate, there are healthier options for you. Thanks to Google, Pinterest, and One Healthy Hamptons, you have a bazillion healthy recipes at our fingertips, so take advantage! You can make brownies with spinach, avocado, and black beans and you may not even know the difference. Applesauce can substitute for butter and spaghetti squash or quinoa pasta can be just as delicious as regular pasta, but far higher in nutrients! Whatever your favorites may be, there is a healthier version, so make an upgrade. Turkey meatballs, fish tacos, even ice cream made from bananas…that’s bananas…but it’s good!

9. Cook at Home:

When you cook at home, you’re able to control exactly what goes into your meal (and, more importantly, what doesn’t) Going out to eat is fun once in a while, but cooking at home is the way to go. If cooking is not your thing, start very simple with vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

10. Don’t Eat Your Emotions:

As discussed above, food is fuel for our bodies. It’s not something to do or a way to ease emotions. Awareness is everything. When you’re eating regular, balanced, whole food meals, your body will use food properly and become hungry every few hours. Tune in to real, physical hunger. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re satisfied – before you feel full. Instead of grabbing a snack when you feel bored or anxious, drink some water, go for a walk, or take some time to think about what’s making you feel that emotion instead of grabbing for a bag of chips or cookies.

One Healthy Breakdown: Follow these 10 tips for a healthier, happier you! Click here for more info on OHH Nutrition and contact kiley@onehealthyhamptons.com today for personalized support!