10 Kick Ass Healthy Eating Tips

Why are healthy eating tips always so boring? Well, not anymore!

1. KNOW YOUR VITAMIN A,B, C's

Micro- and macro-nutrients...Huh? Vitamins and minerals? A, B, C, D, WHA? First, get the low-down on all the basic nutrients and play close attention to B12 and if you may need to supplement. Vitamin D is crucial as well, and may in fact be the key to bone health. Don't forget healthy fats like Omega-3 fat (guacamole, baby!) and, of course, protein and calcium. Knowing these basics will make healthy food choices a lot easier. Like Easy Peasy, 1-2-3!

2. BECOME A BLACK-BELT SALAD MASTER

Salads don't have to be a handful of tasteless lettuce mixed with all other kinds of boring ingredients, saved by some fat creamy dressing that ruins the whole point of eating a salad in the first place. Salads can not only be packed with nutrition, but also with amazing taste! To get black-belt-level salad chops, follow this 5-Step guide to make super-salads and also check out these amazing protein-packed salad recipes. No one's telling you to eat salad for every meal. We know; you have a life!

3. GET SUPERPOWERS WITH SUPERFOODS

What if you could eat a food that would give you super powers? Well, we're sorry to say that such a food has yet to be discovered (bummer!), but superfoods come pretty close! A superfood is a food that is extremely high in antioxidants. When measured by weight, the more disease-fighting, wrinkle-preventing antioxidants packed into one food – the more “super” it is. In today’s toxic world, it is essential to include them in your diet for optimal performance, rejuvenation and vitality, so check out this guide to determine which foods are right for you and try out these superfood bars, snacks and powders.

4. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM FOR SUGAR

Are you seriously telling me I can't have sugar? Is all sugar evil? No way! There are good sources of sugar (the natural one's) and then there are the bad sources (the processed one's). It gets a little more complicated than that, but you essentially need to manage how you're getting your sugar to strike the right balance and follow these surprising ways to curb your sugar cravings. Now, that's SWEET!

5. SLAY THAT EXCESS SALT

ur bodies need salt to maintain fluid balance and nerve function, so consuming it is definitely good for you. However, too much of this good thing is in fact, very bad for you (hypertension, heart disease and kidney problems!). To make matters worse, salt is everywhere (especially in processed foods) and learning how to manage your intake may be challenging. Follow these simple tips and check out some amazing sodium alternatives that you could consider using.

6. POWER UP WITH SOME SMOOTHIES

Yeah, everyone knows we're supposed to be eating more vegetables, but most people just don't enjoy it. The USDA says most adults should be getting 5 servings of vegetables (about 2.5 cups) and 4 servings of fruit (about 2 cups) per day. BORING! What's the solution? Smoothies!! It's the perfect fruit and vegetable delivery system; they pack a ton of nutrition in a convenient, easy to prepare, and delicious package. Here's a guide to amazing green smoothie combos, to get you started!

7. NIBBLE ON SOME NUTS AND SEEDS

All nuts contain heart-healthy fats and fatty acids, fiber, vitamin E, and other beneficial substances. Learn about the amazing health benefits and just how much you should be consuming. Seeds on the other hand are tiny wonders that are packed with disease-fighting minerals and enzymes, they can be used in just about any recipe. Check out these three favorites that are easy to incorporate into your everyday diet explore the wonderful world of seeds with the Ultimate Seed Guide. Nibble Away!

8. GO PRIMAL AND GIVE RAW FOODS A CHANCE

Raw? REALLY? You Meant Raw Meat? NAAH! Raw plant foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and phytochemicals—nutrients that are often lost through cooking and processing. A raw vegan diet consists of whole, organic, unprocessed, and uncooked plant foods and you will be amazed by the flexibility and power of the raw food spectrum. We've got some simple tips to get you (and your family) excited about raw foods. Trust us, choosing raw is about eating more than rabbit food; check out these raw desserts. Look, even Fido loves his raw veggies!

9. DEVELOP A LOVE AFFAIR WITH KALE

Kale is the new bacon. Don't argue with us; it's not just super-healthy, it's also super-cool. Kale is a nutritional powerhouse that boasts an abundance of antioxidants and other disease-fighting agents. And with just 35 calories per cup, it also has an extremely high nutrient density. Start off with kale chips, perhaps, and make your way up the amazing green universe fueled with kale power! If the most interesting man in the world agrees, you should probably follow his lead!

10. TRY TO FALL OUT OF LOVE WITH MEAT

There's ample evidence highlighting how excessive meat consumption has been linked to cancer, heart problems and other degenerative diseases and that consuming a no-or low-meat diet has several health benefits. Add in all the news about antibiotics and hormones found in animal products, pink slime in beef, arsenic in chicken and mad-cow disease. Isn't it reason enough to at least cut back a bit? Plus, the environmental, human rights and animal welfare issues involved with large scale animal agriculture make this an indisputably good choice.