Balancing what you eat is key to living a healthy lifestyle. It is perfectly OK to have a slice of cake after dinner or a chocolate muffin for breakfast, but only if it is in moderation. Everyone deserves a treat every now and then, but it's also important to recognize when we start to push these treats too far. Indulgent food should be enjoyed and savored, but only occasionally. It is important to remember that the majority of our diet should be made up of balanced, nutritious everyday foods. Make healthy food a priority in your life. Learn to love how it makes you feel, how delicious it is! And remember that a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise are the keys to a healthy lifestyle.

Here are 10 easy tips to living and enjoying a healthy lifestyle:

1. Learn To Cook From Scratch

This is one of the most important life skills you can learn. It allows you to have complete control of what goes into your food and your body. Cooking from scratch allows you to enjoy the food you make - more thank you would have it was frozen. It gives you a better appreciation for both the food you make and your health!

2. Variety Is KEY

One thing to remind yourself is to: eat the rainbow! Fill your diet with a wide range of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, whole-grains and naturally low-fat dairy foods (or foods that are part of your specific diet). When it comes to fruit and veggies, different colors provide your body with the different nutrients it needs to stay strong and healthy – it's not just greens that are good for you!

3. Balance Your Diet

Aim to eat a balanced diet that contains each of the right foods in the correct proportions. Put a little more veggies and a little less meat/starch. You will quickly see a difference in the way you feel!

4. Understand What You're Eating

Make an effort to learn about the food you're eating. We all need to understand where the food we eat comes from and how it affects our bodies. This will allow you to be more mindful when it comes to the food you put in your body.

5. Read The Nutrition Labels

It's important to read packaging correctly and effectively. Be aware of the recommended portion sizes, and keep a lookout for the sugar, salt and saturated fat contents (try to keep the intake of them as low as possible).

6. Eat Nutritious Calories

Make sure the majority of your energy intake comes from nutritious calories that also provide your body with nutrients like vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and good fats. Avoid empty calories.

7. Do Not Skip Breakfast

Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism and helps you to stay alert and awake throughout the day. Make sure you always eat a nutritious breakfast. A wholesome breakfast is the perfect way to start your day!

8. Stay Hydrated, The Right Way

Dink more water! Water is an essential part of your diet. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding empty calories from things such as fizzy drinks, energy drinks or juices with added sugar will change the way you feel dramatically. You'll see a difference in your energy quickly! Also, remember to eat your calories, do not drink them.

9. Stay Active

Exercise is an extremely important factor when trying to stay healthy, so try to be as active as you can. Get your body moving at least once every day!

10. Sleep Well

Make sure you get enough sleep. Getting a good night's rest is an essential part of being healthy and directly affects how well we are able to learn, grow and act in life. While we're asleep, our bodies have that all-important time to slow down and relax; it allows the body to repair itself from a hectic day.

COOK FROM SCRATCH

This is one of the most important life skills you can learn. It allows you to have complete control of what goes into your food.

COOK FROM SCRATCH

This is one of the most important life skills you can learn. It allows you to have complete control of what goes into your food.