You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” Like many old adages, there’s a lot of truth in this well-known phrase. Healthy eating and good nutrition play a vital role in your overall well-being. But with all the controversy over what you should eat and how much, it can be hard to know what’s for you, and what isn’t. The wellness experts at Honolulu, Hawaii’s IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health are here to provide you with some tried-and-true tips on how to maintain good nutrition in spite of all that conflicting information.

• Drink plenty of water. Making sure you’re well-hydrated by drinking plenty or water throughout the day will not only increase your energy and decrease headaches and feelings of tiredness, but water also helps to flush toxins and waste products out of your system. Additionally, people often mistake being thirsty for being hungry, so drinking enough water will help to ensure that you’re not reaching for a snack when you don’t really need one.
• Don’t believe everything you read. As mentioned earlier, many of the articles on the Internet and in magazines give conflicting advice, so it’s important to be selective about what you take away from your reading. However, a few things are certain: there are no magic bullets when it comes to nutrition, short-term diets are less effective in the long-term than making lifestyle changes, and if you’re not sure about something, check with your doctor.
• Prepare your own meals as often as possible. Preparing your own food will not only help you control what goes into your meals, but it will also help you make healthier choices. If you find yourself reaching for the easy-prep meals because you have a busy schedule, consider making time-saving changes that will still allow you to cook your own food, like planning out meals for the week beforehand, looking for quick, healthy recipes, and even cooking your food a day or two before and storing it in a Tupperware in the fridge.
• Set yourself up for success. To some degree, almost everyone could benefit from making healthier changes to their diet. When you’re adding healthier foods and cutting down on the unhealthy ones, set yourself up for success by making small changes in steps rather than trying to make one big, drastic change. Not only will this help you achieve a healthier diet, but it will make the prospect of eating healthier not seem so daunting. For example, start by adding a salad to your lunch or dinner every day.
• Read the labels. It’s important that you know what’s in the food and beverages you’re buying, so make sure you read the labels. Even seemingly healthy foods may contain hidden amounts of sugar or salt that you wouldn’t know you were consuming unless you read the label carefully.

At IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health, the team believes that maintaining good health doesn’t always involve taking a pill or having surgery. The highly trained specialists offer a wide variety of services, including wellness coaching and sports medicine. To learn more about how they can help you, visit their website or call (808) 521-8170 today