Food and physical activity go hand in hand.

Just because you work out doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you want. Even professional athletes like Serena Williams and LeBron James have to watch what they eat to make sure they’re giving their bodies the right types of food and amount of fuel.

While you’re probably not working out at a professional level, the same guidelines athletes use to stay in shape can help you too. Here are just a few tips to support your active lifestyle.

1. Eat a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. These foods fill you up while providing the nutrients you need.
2. Schedule your meals. When you follow a food routine, you’re less likely to get too hungry and make poor food choices.
3. Watch your portions. Even when you’re eating high-nutrient foods, you can overeat. Proper portions can keep you on track with your goals.
4. Control the treats. A favorite indulgence is all right every now and then, but to maintain a healthy weight keep them to a minimum.

Eating right and exercising are essential to your overall well-being. They help manage or reduce your risk of developing health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. So, make sure you’re combining both for the best results.

Sources: eatright.org, healthypeople.gov

About the authors: Publix’s corporate dietitians are registered, licensed dietitian nutritionists who help our customers and associates make better eating choices. They work with our Aprons chefs to ensure recipes meet dietary considerations and current guidelines. And they manage our Better Choice shelf tag program and wellness icons, so you can quickly find products containing more of the nutrients you need, like fiber, and less of the things you don’t need, like saturated fat, added sodium or added sugar.