Simple steps to a healthy lifestyle

Leading a healthy lifestyle is the key to maintaining a healthy body and mind. There is no secret recipe for getting fit; just a few positive changes in your day-to-day habits can do wonders to your health. Good food clubbed with improved physical activity is all that is required. No need to follow any fancy diets, detoxes, crash diets or extreme fitness regime.

The most important factor is self-realization and determination. If you are making changes only to please others, then those commitments will only be short term. Take control of your tastebuds and limit the short-term pleasures that you get from eating a cheese burst pizza, a family pack of chips or a Maharaja Burger. By following these simple but effective steps towards healthy liwving, you could reduce your risk of developing lifestyle disorders in adulthood.

Eat a variety of foods

Variety is the spice of life. Plan your meals and incorporate foods from different food groups like cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk and meat products. No single food can provide you with all the essential nutrients. Different foods have different nutrients present in them. Eating a variety of food ensures that you reap the benefit of all the nutrients.

Eat a healthy breakfast

A healthy breakfast is the foundation for a healthy day. Teenagers are often fussy about breakfast and overlook its importance. A healthy breakfast improves concentration by refuelling the body and brain with much-needed glucose after the overnight fasting. Research has shown that people who skip breakfast tend to be gloomy and dull besides showing poor cognitive development. Choose healthy options like poha, upma, cheela, smooothies, eggs, idli, dosa. If you don’t have time to sit and eat, pack some quick bites like roti rolls, sandwiches, pancakes, stuffed parathas, vegetable parathas, etc.

Drink plenty of water

Water is required by the body for many of its functions. Adequate water intake ensures proper hydration of the body. In fact, headache and migraine among teens is associated with inadequate water intake. Water is also needed by your digestive system to promote a proper bowel movement. So the next time you suffer from an episode of constipation, try increasing your water intake rather than relying on any medication. Replace carbonated beverages with healthy drinks like coconut water, buttermilk, infused water, lemon water and herbal water.

Avoid skipping meals

There are innumerable reasons behind skipping meals right from a hectic schedule to a negative body image. Whatever the reason, the consequences are extreme. Apart from affecting physical and mental health, skipping meals can hamper academic performance as well.

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