The Record (Troy, NY)

Better Balance for Every Day

Resolve to make nutritious eating a priority

- FAMILY FEATURES

Discoverin­g a better version of yourself is all about striking balance. That’s especially true when it comes to making smarter food choices that you can maintain over time. A sustainabl­e, long-term healthy eating approach, such as the Atkins low-carb lifestyle, emphasizes variety and balance. Start planning a low-carb menu filled with high-fiber carbohydra­tes, optimal protein and healthy fats with these tips from Colette Heimowitz, vice president of nutrition and education for Atkins.

Fill up with fiber-rich foods. Foods like vegetables, nuts, seeds, low-glycemic fruit (like berries) and whole unrefined grains are considered carbohydra­tes, but they don’t raise your blood sugar the way processed carbs do. Fiber slows the entry of glucose into your bloodstrea­m so you don’t experience insulin spikes that encourage your body to produce and store body fat. Try to eat between 25-35 grams of fiber a day.

Reduce inflammati­on. A low-carb approach eliminates refined and processed foods and sugars that can cause inflammati­on. Focus on foods that decrease inflammati­on, such as colorful low-glycemic vegetables, low-sugar fruits, protein and healthy fats such as olive oil. The ground turmeric in this Golden Milk recipe offers an easy way to fight inflammati­on without sacrificin­g flavor.

Kickstart your morning. Start your day with a protein-packed choice such as these Chocolate Banana Protein Overnight Oats. You’ll get the omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidan­ts from the chia seeds along with protein and healthy fats to keep you energized while avoiding high-sugar breakfast alternativ­es.

Find more recipes like these for Salmon and Asparagus Sheet Pan or Spicy Crispy Chickpeas and ideas for a balanced, low-carb approach to eating well at Atkins.com.

 ?? Photo courtesy of Getty Images ??
Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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