5 nutrition tips for a healthier you

Ready to jumpstart your health? Here are five nutrition tips to get you on the right track:

HEALTH TIPS

1. Eat whole foods

“If you can’t read it, don’t eat it,” says Khalilah Johnson, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “Foods with a lot of preservatives and chemicals often have long lists of ingredients that are hard to pronounce.”

HEALTH TIPS

2. A healthy gut is a happy gut.

Eat foods that contain probiotics, which can aid digestion and create and maintain a good balance of healthy bacteria in your gut.

HEALTH TIPS

3. Avoid sugary drinks.

Sodas, sports beverages, or even sweet tea can add too much sugar, calories or salt to your diet. Fruit juice doesn’t give you the fiber or nutrients you need.

HEALTH TIPS

4. Eat the rainbow.

Try a variety of fruits and vegetables, especially of those of different colors, to keep things fresh and interesting. If the thought of piling fruit on to your plate doesn’t seem appealing, add them to ice cream, yogurt or smoothies.

HEALTH TIPS

5. Less is more.

Portion size is one of the biggest problems facing Americans who are trying to lose weight. When dining out, set aside half of your meal immediately. Not only does this give you lunch or dinner for tomorrow, but you won’t overeat today.

HEALTH TIPS