10 Healthy Eating Tips!

Hello girlies! I have always had an interest in healthy eating and go through phases of eating crazy healthy and eating crazy unhealthy haha! But the majority of the time I like to watch what I eat and I do notice a positive change in the way I look and feel when I do so. I don't let it take over my life but do like to make conscious decisions when I am food shopping and deciding what to eat. Here are some of my top tips for enjoying a healthy lifestyle!

1. 5 portions of fruit/veg a day. Yes I know we've all heard it a million times before but here is how I plan it to ensure I am actually getting all 5. 1 portion with breakfast (could be a chopped up banana over your cereal), 1 portion with lunch (maybe a large salad), 2 portions with dinner (veg such as carrots, broccoli, peas etc as part of your main meal), 2 portions as snacks throughout the day. Remember, 5 portions does not necessarily equal 5 pieces, for example a small satsuma is not classed as a portion so be careful!
2. Swap white pasta, bread and rice for wholewheat! In my opinion it's yummier and makes sooo much difference to the bloat! If you want food babies to be a thing of the past bin the white carbs! Wholewheat has none of the crap the white stuff does and massively helps with your digestive system!
3. Cut down on dairy. Or ensure your milk is skimmed and swap butter for low fat spread. Personally I've noticed a difference by cutting out dairy all together - I now use non dairy spread (the Vitalite brand) and soya milk. If you choose to do this however, be sure to get the soya milk with added calcium and eat lots of green veg to compensate for the calcium you were getting from dairy before!
4. Allow yourself a cheat day (or two)! I find it sooo much easier to stay on track if I know I can eat that packet of crisps or doughnut in a few days time! I have the weekend as my cheat days where I allow myself to more or less eat whatever I like (within reason!!)
5. Diet Tracker Apps! My Fitness Pal is a good app available on the iPhone which helps you track what you're eating throughout the day. I don't recommend calorie counting but this is a good way of keeping track of what you have eaten and helps you not over-eat! There are loads of apps like this and the majority are free! If these aren't available to you, starting a food diary is another good idea.
6. Plan your meals in advance. If you work long hours or have a busy schedule it can be tempting to stick a ready meal in the microwave or order takeaway when you come home from work, knackered and pissed off! Buuut, this is when the pounds can pile on! If you plan what you're eating in advance (maybe decide Monday-Friday's meals at the weekend) and make sure all the ingredients are available to you it'll reduce the temptation to do this!
7. Get your friends on board! If you have some friends who are also trying to be more healthy and you are able to encourage and motivate each other it will make it so much easier and maybe even a bit fun! You can have nights in experimenting with new healthy foods or juicing different fruits and choosing your favourite combinations! 
8. Cut down on the booze! (Or choose it more wisely!) Alcohol is the DEMON when it comes to losing weight or just trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Not only does it land you with one hefty beer gut a sore head and an increased appetite the next day! If cutting down isn't an option for you, try to be more careful when picking your beverages. For example, a single vodka and red bull (or similar energy drink) contains a whopping 240 calories!! Mars bar anyone?! Whereas a single malibu and diet coke contains only about 52! You choose!   
9. Cut out the condiments! Ketchup, mayonnaise, brown sauce, mustard etc all add extra empty calories! They also contain a load of salt and preservatives with aren't very kind to your tummy!
10. Don't let it rule your life! If you really can't stop thinking about that Kit-Kat then eat it! Life is too short to stress yourself over the little things. Enjoy your life and don't let silly things like diet and food absorb you! It's all about finding the right balance and enjoying the things you eat! The longer you eat healthily the less you will crave the crappy foods so stick at it but don't let it piss you off!

I hope some of these tips were helpful! Please let me know any tips you have in the comments below! Thank you so much for reading! xxx

Image from http://www.weheartit.com

HOW TO: Grow and Maintain Long, Healthy Hair

Let's face it, a huge amount of us, me included, would most likely give quite a lot to have hair like the gorgeous LC and all the other luscious-locked celebs that grace our TV screens and magazines on a regular basis. Most of us probably feel like we'll never achieve it though, don't we?

Image courtesy of http://www.weheartit.com/

Well, I can't promise you the steps below will leave you looking like this, but I can tell you that I have noticed a considerable improvement in the condition of my hair since following these processes so they may make you one step closer to that Conrad-esque hair you've so long desired.

1. Restrict heat use! Try to limit the amount you blow-dry, straighten and use curling tongs on your hair. I know this is a tough one, especially if you're used to that perfectly preened and put together look but it is a vital step if you want your hair to grow and be healthy. Try to restrict heat styling to nights out and special occasions only.
2. Heat protectors! When you do use heat it is absolutely vital to use a heat protector or your hair will split higher and higher up the hair shaft and get shorter and shorter - not what you want when on the long hair pursuit! The one I use and would recommend is John Frieda's Frizz Ease Serum with Heat Protection (the orange one). It's only about £5.89 and is available in drugstores and supermarkets. I apply this on my damp hair before blow-drying and then again on the dry hair before straightening/curling and it keeps my hair glossy and healthy looking.
3. Natural Shampoos/Conditioners. Read my review on Naked Shampoos and Conditioners here for info on this step!
4. Hair masks. Treat your barnet to a hair mask once a week. There are loads of these out there from drugstore to high end depending on your budget. I've found some really effective ones in the past from the likes of L'Oreal and Herbal Essences so it's not necessarily vital to spend an arm and a leg on one! Some alternatives that you might find in your kitchen cupboard are olive oil and mayonnaise (if you can bare the stink!)
5. Take your vitamins! Vitamin D and Biotin are said to be great for maintaining healthy hair and skin. I got my tablets from Holland and Barrett and take them daily. I have definitely noticed a reduction in shedding since taking these.
6. A healthy diet. This one goes without saying really. If you want any part of your body to be healthy you can't eat rubbish. This means lots of fresh fruit and veg, oily fish, wholegrains etc...and LOADS of water! 2 and a half litres daily if you can!

I hope these tips help you out if your on Operation Healthy Hair like me! Have you got any tips that might help me out in my mission?
Thanks for reading chicas! xx