Posted on by Matt Gilligan

10 Food Charts for Reaching Healthier Eating Goals

Want to get healthier? Maybe need to change up your diet?

The best way to reach a goal like that is to start with a plan. A plan will help you stay on track and prevent you from having to make choices when you are hungry – cause that’s not when you want to be picking your meals out.

If you don’t know where to begin, these food charts are a great kick-start.

1. Deli meat Alternatives

One way to cut out processed food is to watch how much deli meat you are eating. This chart gives you tasty alternatives.

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Why I don't buy deli meat? I finally finished that blog article I promised…the one with allll the nuance. 😘 Link in bio "Why I don't buy deli meat and how you can make your own choice." Like this post before you head over there to let me know you've been waiting. 😁⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ The article answers questions about nitrates, processed meats, and even has a sandwich guide that shows you where to get granola butter and provides a zillion sandwich ideas. After you read it, come back and let me know what you think!⠀⠀ #kidseatincolor⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ . . . . . . .⠀⠀ #lunchbox #lunchboxideas #kidslunchbox #kidslunchideas #kidslunch #lunchideas #healthylunch #schoollunchideas #healthylunchideas #kidslunch #lunchtime #instalunch #lunchtime🍴 #healthylunchbox #packedlunch #lunchprep #easylunch #lunchideas #foodforkids #yumbox #schoollunchbox #kidsfoodideas #toddlerlunch #schoollunch #vegetarianlunch #meatlessmeals #meatlessmonday #veggielove

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2. Snacking at Work

Mindless eating at work is bad. Check out these more thoughtful choices.

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According to the oxford dictionary, the word ‘Snack’ (noun) is: ‘a small amount of food eaten between meals’. – – If one was to embark on a goal to lose fat, they will likely focus their attention on main meals consumed. They may be vigilant in ensuring consumption of calories aligns with their fat loss target. They may also believe that consumption of large quantities of food from main meals holds more significance to the outcome of their goal than that of smaller quantities of food. – – The problem is, sometimes there is no correlation between relatively small amounts of food and it’s native caloric worth. A 115g blueberry muffin represents 5-8 bites of food – and 420 calories. Coffee with milk and 2 tsp of sugar represents a drink – and 60 calories. 75g of fruit and nut mix represents 2 handfuls of dried fruit and nuts – and 360 calories. The Friday represents the day where one feels they deserve 1 or 2 (or 7) treats. The snacking pattern on the left demonstrates how easy it is to consume significant calories from small amounts of food. – – On the right side of this graphic, the weekly total is over 3000 calories less, yet virtually the same volume of food is consumed (minus reduced portions of nuts and custard creams). There is a balance of foods that require similar lengths of time to consume, foods that one may refer to as a treat and foods that are nutritious. There is also an element of intelligence implemented on the Friday by inclusion of a time consuming food (popcorn), whilst still engaging with colleagues and enjoying a Danish pastry. – – When we are hungry, we should eat. But when we are trying to reduce body fat, we should implement awareness and strategy. Adherence to balanced, calorie supportive, satiating main meals should be a priority, but so should adherence to strategically planned (and measured) snacks which also support one’s caloric deficit, satiety and still provide a disco on your tongue with each bite. 🤜🤛 – – #thefitnesschef #worksnack #snacktime #fatloss #fatlosshelp #nutritioncoach #eatsmart #diettips #diethelp #treat #caloriecounting #portioncontrol #fatlosscoach #snack #losebellyfat #cakes #officesnacks #officefood

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3. Refrigerator Storage Times

Spoiler alert: meat does not keep indefinitely in the fridge or freezer. Bone up on limits to keeping food in your refrigerator.

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Refrigerator storage times! Keeping your 🥩 food as fresh as your brand new 👟 Nikes! lol. _ I’ve posted about this before, but a couple people missed the post so I created a new graphic! It also includes freezer 🕑 times. _ You can go slightly beyond the times and probably won’t get sick or anything, but these I’ve found are the best storage times for ultimate freshness and taste. They’re also what foodsafety.gov recommends on their website! _ Which is your favorite meat for mealprep? #fridgegoals #fridgetimes #iifym #mealprep #mealprepping #foodstorage #healthyeating #healthylifestyle #foodpoisoning #foodpoisoningsucks #healthandwellness #meats #cookingathome #homechef

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4. Fruit

Not necessarily a low-cal food. Figure out how much fruit will actually help you meet your daily calorie intake goal.

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Tag a friend and hit save to stay informed on the calorie and sugar quantities within this extensive list of fruits. – – Most fruit proposes a plethora of vitamins and minerals to it’s consumer. And whilst the cringeworthy term, ‘nature’s candy’ is descriptively tragic, fruit is a source of sweet tasting whole food than offers micronutrients for overall health, fibre for satiety and water for hydration. – – As you can see, each fruit has a different macro-nutritional make up. Some have more sugar, others have less. Some have more calories, others have less. And (not displayed here), some have more fibre, whilst others have less. – – It is worth noting that sugar extracted from fruit will have the exact same metabolic result as sugar extracted from a snickers. But the combination of sugar and fibre consumed via a whole food (in this case fruit) makes it more likely to satisfy one’s hunger more than food comprising of sugar and minimal fibre. However, one’s attainment of satiety will differ from another’s. – – Fruit is a more nutritious, calorie sparse source of energy than confectionary. But it is important to realise that caloric values of any food count towards overall energy balance. Fibre density per calories consumed may make one ‘feel fuller’ and therefore aid adherence to overall energy targets – especially calorie deficits. – – Thus, consuming any item of ‘sweet’ tasting food is a valid option, but those which provide more satiety after consumption may support one’s energy balance more, whilst also delivering a host of nutritious advantages at the same time. 🔥 – – P.s. which is your favourite fruit? 🍓 – – #thefitnesschef #fruit #sugar #calories #berries #nutrients #snacktime #snack #vegan #caloriescount #eatsmart #flexiblediet #fruitsalad #micronutrients #avocado #fatlosstips #dieting #lowcaloriesnack #fruitbowl

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5. Low Calorie Swaps

Eat this and not that if you want to reduce calories but not taste.

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The point of consuming food is to remain alive. The point of controlling one’s intake of food is to manage physique and overall health. The point of consuming fewer calories is to reduce body fat across one’s composition. But one constant in all of the above should be one’s enjoyment of food. – – When an individual embarks on fat loss, each of the above are important. One must enjoy their energy consumption, be aware of energy intake in relation to their energy output, and consistently ensure that hat they are in a state of sustainable caloric deficit. To ensure progress, one may have to change and adjust their dietary habits. But instead of completely changing one’s diet, adherence may be more likely if one makes small changes over time. For example: consuming the same volume of lower calorie foods/drinks that are essentially the same foods/drinks. – – This graphic shows two groups of foods/drinks. One group contains over double the calorie amount of the other, yet quantity of both remains the same (apart from the freddo). Crucially, the lower calorie versions resemble the same taste/experiment as their high calorie counterparts (or very similar). – – Whilst consumption of lower calorie versions may not be immediately significant, they can be over a period of time. For example, if one swapped daily consumption of 300ml of whole milk for semi skimmed milk for 1 year, they would consume 17520 fewer calories whilst experiencing is minimally compromised. – – One must make an informed choice in the knowledge that lower calorie items may contain less of a particular macronutrient. And in the case of low calorie beverages, awareness that sweeteners are included. – – Losing fat is not straightforward. It requires a change of habits. But if an individual recognizes opportunities to make small changes which reap big long term rewards, it’s seems short sighted not to take them. 🔥 – – #thefitnesschef #fatlosshelp #fatlossdiet #fatlosstips #halotop #eatsmart #meat #lowcalorie #calories #caloriedeficit #caloriecounting #losefat #diet #dieting #smartchoices #flexiblediet #nutritionfacts #losebellyfat

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5. 6 Ways to Pizza

Pizza can be healthy. See all the ways here.

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Because who doesn’t love pizza?! 😜 Want a fun way to get your pizza on while still getting in more veggies? Try any of the options in the top row! . My personal favorite is the portobella pizza but all of these are great fun options you can make at home. Get crazy with it and add some fun toppings of choice! Info below: . Bell pepper pizza – 1/2 bell pepper, 1/4 cup marinara sauce, 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese + 2 broccoli florets. . Portable pizza – 1/2 Portabella mushroom cap, 1/4 cup marinara sauce, 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese, 2 basil leaves, 1 olive cut into slices. . Zucchini pizza boats – 1/2 zucchini, 1/4 cup marinara sauce, 2 tbsp mixed cheese, 2 cherry tomatoes. . Rice cake pizza – 1 rice cake, 1/4 cup marinara sauce, 2 basil leaves, 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese. . Pita pizza – 1 medium pita, 1/4 cup marinara sauce, 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese, 2 basil leaves + 3 cherry tomatoes. . Pizza pizza – Ordered from the doughroom in Culver City haha Because sometimes you can treat yo self to a damn real pizza. . How to cook the veggie pizzas: 1 – Preheat oven to 350F. 2 – Scoop out the inside of the mushroom, bell pepper or zucchini boat (you can cook the bell pepper or zucchini in oven before adding toppings or add toppings then cook if you don’t need it well done. Mushroom you can add the toppings right away & cook) 3 – Add 1/4 cup marinara, toppings & cheese 4 – Bake in oven for about 10 minutes then enjoy! . You can bake the pita & rice cake in oven or you can microwave xoxo. . P.S. make sure you check my 101 Healthy Snacks Ebook link in bio! (www.101healthysnacks.com) . . . #cleaneating #healthyeating #nutrition #cleaneats #mealprep #foodprep #fitfood #protein #weightloss #mealplan #healthychoices #mealprepsunday #healthyfood #mealprepping #macros #mealprepmonday #flexibledieting #iifym #instahealth #pizza #glutenfree #getfit #gains #meals #healthyliving #determination #healthylifestyle

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6. Muscle Meats

Portion control is an excellent way to healthier eating. Learn to eyeball your servings.

8. Meat

Make sure you’re getting enough protein with this chart.

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Tag a a meat eater and hit save to keep you and your friends informed on the calorie/protein values of this assortment of meat/poultry. – – Consuming fewer calories and/or moving more is the only way you can lose fat – aka creating a calorie deficit. And whilst it is not definitive, consuming adequate protein is heavily linked to a higher rate of satiety (feeling full). Thus, feeling satiated for extended periods may reducing the likelihood of consuming excess calories. I stress the word ‘likelihood’. Furthermore, protein consumption will help one maintain adequate muscle mass during the process of fat loss or muscle gain. Most sources of meat and poultry are protein dense. – – As you can see, there are lower calorie options available for the same or greater protein value. Whilst meat/poultry is just one component of a balanced meal containing carbohydrates and fats, it is an area where you can make a relatively small change which could help your goal in the long run. – – In terms of protein density per gram of food, not many food/drinks come close to meat. If you don’t eat meat, sourcing and consuming adequate protein for your fitness needs becomes more difficult, but definitely still possible. – – If you are vegan… This post is clearly not for you. – – #thefitnesschef #meat #protein #highprotein #meatlover #mealprep #dinnerideas #nutritioncoach #leanmeat #fatloss #muscle #musclegain #eatsmart #eattogrow #losefat #buildmuscle #calories #caloriecounting #steak

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9. Vitamins and Minerals

Don’t overlook the importance of these healthful building blocks.

10. Calorie and Protein Chart

Nothing can stop from healthier eating when you use this food chart for meal planning.

Planning, shopping and prepping will be your keys to healthier eating. Get educated and save these informative food charts as your first step to eating better and feeling better.

The post 10 Food Charts for Reaching Healthier Eating Goals appeared first on UberFacts.