Welcome back to our Nutrition Tips Series! In our previous post, we covered the importance of eating slower to become more mindful of your food choices and help you feel full while consuming fewer calories.
Today’s tip is perfectly timed for the holiday season and the festive gatherings you may be attending this weekend: Start with Fruits and Vegetables. Notice we said “start” with fruits and vegetables—not “only eat” them! This small adjustment can make a big difference for your health and fitness goals.
Why Start with Fruits and Vegetables?
- Manage Hunger Better Eating fruits and vegetables first helps take the edge off your hunger both physiologically and emotionally. How many times have you walked into a party hungry and started devouring high-calorie foods you didn’t even enjoy—only to realize a few minutes later that you overate? By beginning with fruits and vegetables, you can make more thoughtful nutrition choices and enjoy indulgent foods in smaller quantities.
- Enhance Fullness with GLP-1 Hormone Support Research shows that eating vegetables before starchy carbohydrates can help maintain higher levels of GLP-1, a hormone that promotes feelings of fullness. This helps you better select foods to eat that you enjoy, not foods you don’t enjoy just because you feel famished. In turn, this supports the “quality over quantity” approach we champion at 212 Fitness.
How This Simple Tip Helps You Stay On Track
Starting your meals with fruits and vegetables makes it easier to eat mindfully, enjoy the foods you love, and stay aligned with your nutrition and fitness goals—all in balance and moderation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or nutrition regimen.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9811965/
