How to Establish Eating Habits

“You are what you eat.”

We often hear that "You are what you eat" and for the most part that is absolutely true.

Eating habits are so important to maintain your good health. Your habits of what and when to consume food will dictate your long term health. So, how do you maintain your good health?

Here are my top 7 good eating habits tips:

1. Don't skip your breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day it will establish your energy throughout the day, along with your eating habits throughout the day. If you start your day with breakfast, even just a good smoothie or a good protein shake (a certified low glycemic shake is highly recommended), you won't be craving for sugary things at morning teatime.

2. Have a good sized portion of a healthy lunch. Avoid deep-fried and processed food. Choose good salad vegetables with meat or a freshly cooked meal with meat and varieties of vegetables, if you can. If you must have bread then choose wholemeal instead of white bread.

3. Snack on fruits and vegetable sticks. Vegetables like carrots, celery & cucumber are much better for you than something like chips or snack foods. Plus you can eat an unlimited quantity of them. Add a little hummus or peanut butter if you want to add some protein.

4. Choose dark chocolate for sweet cravings. If you have a sweet tooth then try to choose Dark chocolate which contains >75% cocoa, over milk chocolate with sweet fillings. This will reduce the overall calorie intake and you'll also find that one or two squares of dark chocolate will satisfy cravings more than a whole block of milk chocolate, due to the high cocoa content.

5. Drink lots of water throughout the day. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses a day. I find it handy to have a litre of water in a bottle at your office, so that you can keep track of how much water you have taken.

6. Make dinner the lowest calories and lightest meal of the day. Ideally light salad, portion control. By having less dinner you will have less calories for the body to burn while you're sleeping, which will not only helping you with your weight concern but this will also make you feel like having breakfast the next day. You will then start a good eating cycle as you won't feel like anything in the morning when you go to bed with a heavy dinner.

7. Drink good alcohol, if you must. If you are a wine lover opt for Malbec or Pinot Noir which are richer in antioxidants compare to other types of wine. Try not to over drink as too much alcohol isn't good for you.