Based on evidence-based advice from Healthline and Harvard Health Publishing.

Healthy eating is often considered the death of happiness, but choosing balance instead of restriction can make all the difference.

In a world ruled by clocks, busy schedules, and endless diet programs, finding a healthy diet can feel like a herculean task. However, eating healthy is actually far less daunting than it looks.

How to Maintain a Healthy and Balanced Diet

"This idea of 'a calorie in and a calorie out' when it comes to weight loss is not only antiquated, it's just wrong," said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford in October 2020. The assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics at Harvard Medical School revealed that not all calories are created equal, so healthy eating is more about making smart choices.

Follow these six tips to stick to that philosophy.

1. If you have a busy schedule, consider batch-cooking. Save leftovers in the freezer for days when you're short on time or energy.
2. When you are shopping for groceries, the junk aisles will try to attract you. "I try to pick just one treat and splurge on things like premade salad kits, premarinated proteins, etc," said Healthline's Sarah Garnoe.
3. Be mindful of what you eat. If you have ailments like migraines or IBS, observe which foods trigger your symptoms, and find alternatives even if they are otherwise healthy options.
4. Include a lot of leafy greens in your diet; they are full of fiber and rich in nutrients. Enjoy them cooked, blended, or raw to get the nutritional benefits.
5. If you have decided to eat healthy, replace your junk snacks with healthy snacks. "My favorite snack at the moment is Jell-O mixed with zero-fat Greek yogurt! It’s low effort, slightly indulgent, and has more volume than yogurts or mousses of equivalent calories," recommended Healthline editor Ronnie Cohen.
6. Lastly, the healthiest habit is hydrating yourself. It's an essential but often overlooked habit. If plain water isn't your thing, then try coconut water, herbal teas, milks, or fruit juices.

So, what are your takeaways after reading these tips? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi