You don't have to deprive yourself of a delicious meal to eat healthy. The team of INVESTA Real Estate – top real estate office in Larissa studied various articles and came up with how you can focus on the positive changes of your diet.

The food should be pleasant, and this is still true even if you are trying to eat healthy with very low fat. Although some diet programs focus on the negatives, implying that you need to cut what you like, this should not be the case.

In fact, completely excluding food or even whole food groups is not such a good idea. Not only are they potentially unbalanced, but it can lead to a sense of failure if you can't resist something from the "forbidden" list, thus making it more likely to give up altogether. In any case, a diet that looks like a chore will be difficult to adhere to in the long run. Eating healthy by focusing on positive steps rather than negatives is much easier and often more effective.

More proper food

Eating more may seem strange if you're trying to lose weight but eating at regular intervals (three nutritious meals a day, plus snacks when needed) and eating more of the right foods can help you. Don't focus on what you can't have, focus on what you can, such as fruits and vegetables, white and fatty fish, whole grain carbs, and high fiber. This will make you have less appetite for foods such as fatty or processed meats and salty or sugary snacks and drinks.

It will also help balance your diet, which means that you get all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for good health and the right amount of energy, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

Fill fruits and vegetables

Having at least 3 servings of fruits and vegetables every day can help protect your heart and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. In addition, the fiber content will make you full and reduce the temptation to unhealthy foods.

It is easy to eat more fruits and vegetables. Add chopped banana or berries to yogurt or porridge for breakfast. Put extra vegetables in soups and sauces, or just consume one or two extra servings along with your main meal. Fruits are an obvious snack, but do not overlook vegetables, cut peppers, carrots, celery or cucumber into pieces so that they are ready when you are hungry. Adding pomegranate seeds, grapes or apples to salads can make them look and taste more exciting.

Whole grain foods

Whole grain foods such as bread, brown rice and wholegrain pasta are a source of fiber, so choose them from the white varieties to keep your digestive system healthy. Other whole grains such as oats also provide soluble fiber that can help lower cholesterol levels. You could eat porridge or a whole grain bun for breakfast, whole wheat pasta salad for lunch, and chicken salad and brown rice for dinner. Also, whole grain rice cakes with banana are an easy snack.

Fish

Aim to have two servings of fish a week and be one of them fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout or tuna (fresh and not canned). Fatty fish is a source of protein and provides omega-3 fatty acids, associated with reducing the risk of heart and circulatory diseases. Adding fish to your diet can help you reduce your meat intake, the saturated fat and salt that can accompany them.

Buy more healthy foods

Preparing and buying more the right foods makes it easier to maintain a healthy diet and means you are less likely to eat out or order food.

Planning meals in advance and going to the supermarket with a shopping list for next week will help you stay on track. Be realistic about how much you will cook and eat in a week so as not to waste food. Cooking your meals can help you eat healthy allowing you to control the amount of fat, salt and sugar you add.

If cooking from scratch seems difficult to you, start with a schedule of cooking once or twice a week, or a food you can eat for a few days at the weekend. If you don't have a lot of time on weekdays, make the most of the weekend and cook and freeze meals during the week.

Paint it

Making meals colorful increases their attractiveness. Add a variety of colored vegetables such as tomatoes, spinach, yellow peppers, beetroot, carrots and sweet corn to make your meals look great on the plate and also more nutritious. It is also good in terms of nutrition to eat a variety of colors, since different fruits and vegetables have different nutritional benefits.

There is even evidence that the use of colored dishes (or cups or straws) can affect your perception of food. Pink and white striped straws create an illusion of sweetness, making vegetable-based smoothies tastier. Similarly, eating leafy green vegetables such as spinach or broccoli can be more enjoyable than a red dish.

Bon appétit!

There is no point in eating a food you do not like. Try different foods to find the ones you love. Find some of the hundreds of healthy meal recipes that exist and start cooking.

Finally, it should be known that it takes about 20 minutes to feel full once you have finished eating. Slowing down as you eat and taking the time to enjoy your food can help you resist a second serving or dessert.