WRITTEN BY: FitnBeyond Diana, Gaby and Alejandra
Haven’t reached your healthy goals yet? It is not impossible! One, of many secrets, is to learn to plan your meals and know how to identify healthy foods. Another is learning to eat well on-the-go or when you’re in a rush. We have 3 healthy homemade snacks for you to try and 10 ways you can start incorporating healthy eating into your life today!
Learning to eat healthily takes time; it’s not something you will learn from one day to the next and you are not born with this knowledge. It’s a habit that you will have to create and develop, because, like any other habit, it is a gradual process that you acquire through repeated practice. Trust in yourself and the process and you may be surprised at the results you achieve. Start working on any of these habits:
- Eat a healthy breakfast. Breakfast is the most important food of the day because it will give you the energy to carry out your activities.
- Consume vegetables and fruits. With these foods, you will get your vitamins and minerals.
- Consume healthy fats (avocado, almonds, olive oil, nuts, among others). They will help you to satisfy you and improve your health.
- Pay extra attention to portion sizes. Use small plates and use the method of your hand to control your quantities.
- Avoid processed foods and sugars.
- Enjoy each bite, eat slowly enjoying the process.
- Learn to read food labels.
- Sleep more and better. Quality and quantity are important.
- Stay active. Walking at a good pace is an excellent exercise. Set a goal such as walking 8,000 steps a day, or whatever exercise goal suits you, and gradually increase the frequency and intensity.
- Work on one habit at a time. You will see that little by little and when you least realize you’ll have healthy eating habits. Small actions add up to big changes and results.
Try These 3 Healthy Homemade Snacks
Jamaican Mousse with Cottage Cheese
Flor de Jamaica is a flower also known as hibiscus, which you’ve probably had as a tea. It carries health benefits such as upset stomach relief, high blood pressure, and aid in weight loss. Hibiscus can also be used to make into a mousse with cottage cheese that’s packed with protein and sweetened with vanilla and stevia (pictured right). Follow our steps below to create this fresh and healthy sweet treat.
- Put a handful of flor de Jamaica (hibiscus leaves) to rest in some water.
- Liquefy the hibiscus leaves with the same water and add 1/2 cup of cottage cheese.
- Add a 1 tbsp vanilla extract and 1 tbsp of stevia, or to your taste.
- Use a 1 oz pack of grenadine and dissolve it in 1 cup of water, empty it into a mold and add layers of water.
- Freeze for a few hours and then enjoy this delicious, low-calorie snack.
Veggies and Peanut Butter
Choose a vegetable like celery, baby carrots, or apples or another fruit and veggie of your choice and accompany them with a healthy fat like peanut butter. Not a fan of peanut butter? Try almond, cashew, or walnut butter. It’s a great snack if you’re in a rush and gives you a boost of energy, fiber, protein, and fat.
Fit Chicken Enchiladas
Our flavorful fit chicken enchiladas are quick and easy to make that give you a good balance of protein and carbs. Follow the steps below:
- Heat two corn or cactus tortillas on a comal, pan on a stove, or simply heat them in the microwave.
- In a baking pan/dish or refractory, fill the tortillas with shredded chicken add a few squares of panela cheese or Oaxaca light, fold the tortillas.
- Top them with a 1/2 cup of green or red tomato sauce, according to your preference, and put the dish in the oven and let it cook for about 15 minutes.
- Add chopped onion, coriander (cilantro), and a little Greek yogurt without sugar (as a replacement for sour cream).
- Accompany with grilled or steamed mixed vegetables.
- For the sauce, cook the 2-3 tomatoes with 1 garlic clove, 1/2 onion, and a pinch of salt in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes and then blend the ingredients to create a sauce. Do not use oil.
We hope these tips are helpful to you and give you an idea on how you can maintain a healthy diet, even when you’re in a rush and in need of a quick bite to eat. Remember that each person is different and has different nutritional goals and requirements and you should eat snacks and quick meals that align with yours.