You probably know by now that maintaining a healthy diet is one of the best ways to stay disease and injury-free well into your retirement years. And while exercise and taking supplements are undoubtedly important, the cornerstone of your overall well-being ultimately comes down to what you eat. Initially, it may seem daunting, or even impossible to imagine yourself totally reshaping the way that you eat. 

After all, if you’ve lived a life full of grazing on whatever you feel like, making a change to your diet suddenly can seem overwhelming. The good news is that even small changes can make a significant impact. Whether you’re looking to lose a couple of pounds, or simply improve your health, here are some ways to make your diet instantly healthier.

Eat More Vegetables

Vegetables are full of nutrients and vitamins that can’t be found anywhere else. Even though you can find some of these vitamins in supplements, nothing compares to getting these nutrients straight from the source. Try to sprinkle in at least one or two vegetables into every meal.  Half of your plate should be full of vegetables ideally, and the rest can be things that you enjoy. 

Try to experiment with different ways of preparing vegetables, and you may be surprised to find that you like vegetables even more than you thought. Try roasting, steaming, and even sauteing. You can fry certain vegetables once in a while, however, it’s important to know that this will strip away a significant amount of the nutritional value. 

The more vegetables you eat the more nutrients you’ll pump your body full of, not to mention, you’ll increase your fiber intake which will improve your digestion.

Choose Whole Grains

One trip to the grocery store will show you that there are plenty of choices when it comes to your carbs. From bread to rice to pasta, there is no shortage of options of what they’re made of.

 However, if you hope to lower your overall calorie intake, while still getting to taste the foods you like, opt for the whole-grain versions. These are not just healthier in terms of caloric intake, but they’re also easier to digest. Refined grains can disrupt your blood sugar levels, and slow down your digestion.

At first, it may take some adjusting, however, you may be surprised to find that whole grain is even better depending on the way you prepare it!

Stay Hydrated

It’s incredibly simple yet many people fail to follow the golden rule of nutrition—drink water all day every day! Staying hydrated is incredibly important for your overall well-being, not only because it will help your body stay functioning, but it will also avoid dehydration, and even curb your appetite. Although some alternative beverages like tea coffee or even sparkling water are considered okay, nothing is better than pure water.