A healthy diet can seem impossible but it is actually easier than you would expect. There are countless way to make a healthy diet simple but here are 12 simple changes you can start today!
1. Slow Down
First off, taking a second to realize you are actually eating can make a world of difference. Instead of inhaling your meal in order to move on to your next task, slow down. Notice the texture, smell, and enjoyment of your food. Decide what your favorite aspect is. Stop when you are satisfied that way you don’t become overly full. Overall, slowing down can help you understand what you like and when you are ready to stop eating.
2. Preparation Is Key
Secondly, we can all agree that the easiest way to eat healthy is to have someone else do all the cooking. Sadly, that’s not an option for most people. The next best way is to prepare your food as much as you can beforehand so when you are ready to eat you don’t have too much to do!
- Wash fruits and veggies
- Slice up fruits and veggies
- Boil eggs for a quick source of protein
- Cook a grain like rice to quickly add to meals
Washing and cutting produce may make it go bad a bit quicker but it will be ready for you to grab as a snack or to quickly add to a dish!
3. Start A Routine
The beginning of starting a healthy diet may get a bit overwhelming. Instead of having to find a new recipe for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday start with some key staples.
If you enjoy parfaits for breakfast then have those for a while by switching up the toppings. Once you are ready for something else find another simple favorite and add it to your breakfast rotation.
4. Re-think What A Healthy Diet Means To You
Health is a VERY broad word that has a different meaning to everyone. To you health may mean you wake up energized but to your friend it means not eating take-out for every meal. In order to reach your goal of eating healthy you need to first define the goal.
5. Have A Plan
Planning can be as simple or as detailed as what you need. You could have every meal and snack planned out to a specific portion for every day of the week or it could simply mean you plan on having dinner leftovers for lunch. Further, you could write it down or just make a mental note.
6. Prioritize Vegetables
Without an effort to include veggies in your meals it’s likely they won’t make it. If there are just a couple veggies you actually enjoy try cooking them different ways. One day you could have roasted carrots then have some boiled the next time. This way you are still getting in a veggie but not having the exact thing everyday.
7. Snacking
Some have heard that snacking is unhealthy. Not true. Snacking simply means you’re hungry. So snack. The best choices to have are ones that include fiber or at least two of the macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat). It is perfectly fine to eat when you are hungry but another positive is that when you are ready for your next meal you won’t be ravenously hungry. That means you will make better choices rather than needing to fill your stomach with whatever is in reach.
If you’re in need of some snack inspiration, Pinterest has got you covered. You can find some ideas that sound good and save them to a board specific to snacks so you can quickly look back at it!
8. Avoid Sugar Sweetened Beverages
If you’re someone that needs a mid afternoon Coke, let’s work on changing that a bit. It is known that sugar sweetened beverages like (soda) pop are a major contributor to obesity and high added sugar intake. Instead of having a Coke everyday try exchanging one for a Diet Coke. Over time completely switch to Diet. Then, make the shift into a carbonated or flavored water. Once you are transitioned start another shift into plain water.
9. Make It Fun!
Make you meal an event. Try giving meals a catchy name. Meatless Monday is a popular one where you either eat no meat all do or eat no meat for dinner.
- Seafood Sundays: Buy fresh seafood as local as possible and spice it up by making different sides or using unexpected seasonings
- Taco Bar Tuesdays: Try making your own crunch wraps or a new guac recipe!
- BYO pizza: Put out an array of toppings and make individual pizza’s
- Breakfast for dinner: Make your favorite breakfast foods for dinner
- Super Salads: Make the most extravagant salad you can
- Color specific: A challenge to have all your foods to be one color
10. Fuel A Healthy Diet With Fiber
Fiber comes from plants and is technically a carbohydrate but it acts a bit differently. A normal carb will be broken down into glucose. Depending on the type of fiber it may not even break down. Fiber has a plethora of benefits. It helps maintain healthy gut bacteria, promotes good bowel health, reduces your blood sugar levels, supports weight loss, and keeps you feeling full.
11. Add A Dip
Can’t get past the taste of veggies? Try adding a dip you love! Having broccoli with some ranch is better than having no broccoli at all. Use my Greek Yogurt and Herb Dip to add a great taste to any veggies you find too bland. Going further, you could even make a dip out of veggies by adding roasted veggies to a blender with your favorite spices.
12. Reflect
Reflect back on a day, week, or month and decide what is actually working for you and what isn’t. Make the appropriate changes and decide what you want to do going forward. I you are truly unhappy with how you are preparing a certain dish, don’t continue doing it that way simply because it is what you are used to. Make a change that works for you.
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