Mar 28, 2011 19:51 GMT  ·  By
Before we start thinking about going on a diet, we should improve our eating habits, experts say
   Before we start thinking about going on a diet, we should improve our eating habits, experts say

Before we start thinking about dieting, it’s important to know that it’s not the only way to a healthy and fit body. The better alternative implies eating all the right foods at the right time and, of course, working out.

Below are some of the most important “food rules” all women should bear in mind if they want to keep their figures in check and always look their best, as per the girls at All Women Stalk.

For starters, dairy. It’s important to have a balanced diet that comprises all food groups in the amounts required by the body, and this includes dairy as well.

Dairy products are rich in calcium and vitamin D, essential for our bodies (and bones) especially as we age. Because they can be quite fattening, the low-fat versions are preferred.

Another important thing to bear in mind is that soda is no good for us. As AWS puts it, it’s loaded with chemicals and refined sugars, heavy in calories and other ingredients that we may not even recognize if we ever had the urge to read them on the label.

Instead of soda, we should drink natural juices and smoothies that we make in our home: this way, we know for a fact what goes into the making and can have no surprises.

Eating as colorful as possible is, again, very important. Greens (and vegetables of all types) and fruit should be a part of our daily meals and not just something we do when we remember to eat healthy.

“Did you know that the more colorful your meal, the more healthful it is? Let’s think about this – the reds, yellow, and greens that make a meal brilliant are the colors that signify a fruit or veggie that’s loaded with valuable vitamins without all the nasty stuff we don’t really need,” AWS writes.

Fiber is just as important, so forget about those diets that tell you you should eliminate carbs from your meals altogether.

“It helps cleanse your body of excess hormones and aids in motility. The average person needs 150 grams of fiber each day, but most of us get less than a third of that,” AWS says.

Last but not least, we should remember to drink plenty of water: men and women alike should drink about 2 liters a day for perfect skin, a healthy body and, yes, weight loss.