We all know that eating well is essential for good health, but how do you go about making positive changes to your diet? Healthy eating isn’t always about weight management or control, but many of us seem to focus on the numbers on the scale when deciding what to eat. If you’re looking for simple ways to improve your diet, here are some tips to help you personalize your menu plan and boost your health.

Calorie counting

Many of us associate changing our diets with losing weight. If you do want to lose weight, there is a lot to be said for taking a look at the types of food you eat and your portion sizes, but try not to become too consumed by calories. The recommended calorie intake for the average woman is 2,000 calories per day, but this is a general guide. If you’re very active, you might need more calories. If you live a sedentary lifestyle, or you’re on a mission to lose weight, it’s a good idea to reduce this number slightly. Tailor your diet to suit your individual needs.

Sensitivities and allergies

Food allergies and intolerances are fairly common, and in recent years, there has been a lot of talk about how the body reacts to certain foods. Many people suffer symptoms when they eat gluten or dairy products, for example. If you have an intolerance or an allergy, you’re probably aware of this, and you can cut certain foods out of your diet, but sensitivities are more difficult to identify. If you feel bloated after eating sometimes, or your stomach feels a bit off from time to time, it’s interesting to keep a food diary or to do a test that will tell you if you do have any specific sensitivities. Before you order a kit, it’s wise to read a review of online lab test company services. Once you have the results, you can design a plan that focuses on nutritional foods that your body is able to digest without any problems.

Personal preferences

One of the most difficult things about dieting, especially when you’re working towards a goal of losing weight, is dealing with cravings. Cutting out foods and sticking to a limited selection of meals and snacks can make you yearn for the foods you used to enjoy. While it is hugely beneficial to focus on nutritional items, there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself. If you’ve eaten really well all week, the thought of indulging in a slice of pizza or a cupcake at the weekend can spur you on and motivate you to keep going. It’s also a great idea to consider healthier ways of making your favorite meals. Take a burger and fries, for example. If you swap beef mince for lean turkey mince, ditch the bun and roast some sweet potatoes instead of making fries, you’ll get all the flavor without the calories, the saturated fat and the sugar and salt. When you adopt a new, healthier diet, you want to aim to make long-term changes, and incorporating foods that you love makes this objective much more achievable.

Whether you’re keen to lose weight, or you’d like to adopt a healthier attitude to eating, it’s beneficial to design a diet that suits you. Focus on nutritional foods that you enjoy, adapt your calorie count to suit your lifestyle, and find out if you have any sensitivities that could be causing you problems.