We asked a nutritionist for his best advice on how to look and feel healthier if you only have a week

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Didn't hit your fitness and diet goals in time for spring? Don't fret.

There are still plenty of things you can start doing now to look and feel healthier.

You're probably not going to wake up looking like an underwear model tomorrow — but you can certainly start feeling better and improving your digestion in a week, according to registered dietitian and nutritionist Andy Bellatti.

Here are a few things Bellatti and other nutritionists recommend.

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DO: Drink lots of water.

Water is essential — it regulates the shape of every cell inside our bodies. If we don't get enough, in fact, these cells begin to shrivel up.

The CDC recommends choosing water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages to "help with weight management." Swapping a cold glass of H2O for a single 20-ounce soda will save you about 240 calories.

So hydrate, Bellatti tells Business Insider. "Ideally with water." Not a fan of the absence of flavor? He suggests spicing it up with a few slices of lemon, lime, or cucumber.

DON'T: Go on a juice cleanse.

If you're considering a "detox" or "juice cleanse," you might want to reconsider. Drinking just water, juice, or any other liquefied concoction for more than a few days can set you up for unhealthy eating behaviors, and can often lead to unhealthy spikes and drops in blood sugar levels, which can spawn cravings and mood swings.

"This is a recipe for 'hangriness,'" Bellatti says, "that also inaccurately paints all solid food as problematic."

DO: Cut back on sodium.

Most of us — 89% of adults, according to the CDC — eat too much sodium, and that's not including any salt added at the table.

Whether salt is a net negative or positive for your health, too much of anything isn't a good idea. As far as sodium is concerned, too much is linked with puffiness and bloating, according to Harvard Health. So depending on your diet, cutting back on salt could be an easy way to start feeling better.

"Sodium retains water," Bellatti says, "so lowering sodium intake also reduces puffiness."

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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