Five expert tips to help you get your diet right

Are you trying to eat healthier, but not sure where to start? If you’re not ready to invest in a professional nutrition plan just yet, keep these five tips in mind to get your diet right:

#1 How much you eat is more important than what you eat

You can eat everything when you’re on a diet, as long as it’s in moderation. But most people fail to realize that. For eg, walnuts are healthy but don’t eat more than one handful a day. Even if it’s a simple extra-virgin olive oil, don’t glug it on your salad – use just 2 tbsp. Keeping a food diary where you can track quantity intake is one way to ensure portion control.

#2 Don’t quit carbs

There’s a lot of debate over whether carbs are bad for you, but the bottom line is that some amount of carbs is essential to a diet. Carbs in fiber-rich whole grains are a good source of energy; they also control your blood sugar and keep you feeling full.

#3 Spice up your meals

Herbs and masalas boost metabolism, balance blood sugar and, most importantly, have no calories or sodium—just flavour. So make sure you’re packing in that extra punch.

#4 Skip those snacks in front of the TV

You may think it’s okay because the snack is low-cal or healthy, but spontaneous daily snacking can take your daily calorie consumption up by 25%, according to researchers. Popcorn or peanuts, it’s all adding up.

#5 Read the labels

When you’re out grocery shopping, make sure you know what you’re buying. Skip the nutritional facts on the packaged goods box, and look at the ingredient list instead. Remember, the longer the ingredient list, the more processed a food is.