Incredible as it may sound but did you know than an average American eats three times the amount of food his body needs yet can not meet the nutritional needs which his body so demands? Do you think eating is only to satisfy hunger or we could also plan our food in such a way that it serves a dual purpose: relieving hunger as well as keep us healthy? If you are in a quandary how to eat healthy to live better, follow these tips:

     Perhaps you need to have a re-look at the whole purpose of eating. It is all about eating to live and not living to eat. Control your intake of food till such times that you stop feeling hungry, instead of gorging yourself. This only makes you feel bloated and sick as you have consumed more than your body really needs.

     When do you eat? Is it every time it is ‘meal’ time which the clock decides or is it when you are really feeling hungry? Try to eat only when you are hungry and not because it is the normal thing to eat at a particular time of the day.

     Avoid foods which are heavy on sugar and carbohydrates like white refined flour, ice cream, chocolates, fried food, etc.

     Avoid heavy meals. In stead eat smaller quantities more frequently.

     Have you ever wondered how big the size of your stomach is? It is about the size of your fist! So, reduce the portion sizes. By eating more, you are unnecessarily putting undue pressure on the one stomach you have!

     Replace all junk foods with healthier choices. Candies and donuts are tasty foods but you could do your body some good by eating fruits, cut vegetables, a hard boiled egg or even a whole grain muffin. If you crave for food at odd times, satisfy your hunger with healthier, fat-free and less oily foods.

     Of all the meals we have during a day, breakfast is perhaps the most important and skipping this meal is unhealthy. It boosts your metabolism after it has slowed down during the night rest.

     For packaged foods, read the labels carefully. Check the extra doses of sugar and sodium found in most ‘fat-free’ foods.

     Cut down on you soda and coffee consumption. In stead drink at least 10 to 12 glasses of water. Water is the best cleanser which the body can get and can help get rid of all harmful toxins which get accumulated in our digestive system.

     While eating out, avoid eating appetizers which are full of carbohydrates like hot wings and bred. In stead choose to have freshly cut vegetables with your favorite dip. This will not fill up your stomach and keep adequate space for the main course.

     The world over is slowly going easy on red and packaged meat. In stead switch to fish. Fish is not only good for the heart but keeps your bowels clean as it can never encourage ailments like constipation, ulcers etc.

     Add salads to every meal. They are not only healthy but filling too. You could make your salads colorful and appetizing by adding vegetables of many colors from dark green to purple, yellow and red.

By doing minor adjustments to your diet plan, you could eat delicious food as much as your body needs and remain healthy feel great  and stay fit too.