Small Changes in Lifestyle Means Better Health and Wellness

While it is good to have information and resources available at a time when you fall sick, you can actually take charge and reduce the likelihood for such events by doing precious little. All it requires is a bit of discipline. Here are the myCOL tips to stay healthy and away from illness and hospitals.

Hospital Assistance

Go Natural: Select food which is closest to its natural form. Choose Fresh and Whole Foods rather than processed and packaged food. This helps significantly control salt, sugar, saturated fat and calorie intake.
Remember the Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh is the answer but left with no choice frozen or canned should do it. Also, choose whole fruits over juices. This means more fiber and less sugar.
Avoid Salt and Added Sugar: Food labels deserve your attention. If nothing, the boring read makes you guilty before each intake of processed or boxed items.
Watch Out For Artificial Ingredients: Artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives are best avoided. Be disciplined.
Let loose with plenty of Water: Replace the sugar-heavy fizzy drinks and juices with low-calorie beverages, like water and green tea. Apart from avoiding unnecessary salts and sugars, it helps control hunger and provides a sense of satiety and also provides energy. Boring yet. Be creative and add a slice of your favorite’s fruit to pack the taste punch to water.
Say more no than yes to Alcohol and Caffeine: While plain water is the best, caffeine and alcohol, if consumed need to be rationed with great discipline. More importantly, avoid the sugary extras: Choose plain tea or coffee, and do not indulge in sweet mixers with alcohol.
Whole Grains is the way to go: Refined carbohydrates like white bread, rice and pasta give up vital nutrients during manufacturing. Opt for whole wheat bread and brown rice. Better still increase intake of whole grains like oatmeal, barley etc. Such change alone lowers risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes and colon cancer.
Get Organic: Organic involves natural pesticides so it is the best way to eat clean. If not at least ensure that you eat more foods with skins you do not consume (pesticides end up in the skins) like onions, potatoes, corn etc.
Care about what Meat and Dairy you eat: Dairy, meat and eggs generally come from animals given growth hormones and antibiotics. Organic Milk is fast becoming popular. Be careful of source. Better still; get your protein from pulses, nuts and beans.