Are you trying to develop healthy eating habits but find it challenging to stick to a routine? You’re not alone. It can be tough to make healthy changes in our diets, especially in the fast-paced modern life we live today. In this blog post, we will discuss four ways that can help you adopt healthy eating habits.
Set realistic goals.
When trying to make changes to your diet, it’s essential to set realistic and achievable goals. There is a strong power of 1% (watch this video to fully understand).
If you try to make too many changes at once, you may become overwhelmed and find it difficult to stick to your plan. Instead, start by making small changes, such as cutting out liquid calories or making it a non-negotiable to have 3 servings of greens a day. As you start to see results, you can gradually add more healthy habits into your routine.
If weight loss is your goal, don’t get discouraged if you have a slip-up or two along the way. It’s not what we do some of the time, it’s what we consume and enjoy most of the time. All in all with health and weight loss, consistency is key.
Make healthy foods your obvious choice.
If you want to eat healthier, you need to make sure that healthy foods are easily accessible.
This tactic starts with the step of getting your space organized before you stock it. Secondly, have a process for grocery shopping so the task is efficient and realistic to accomplish routinely.
Keep fruits and vegetables washed and cut up in the fridge so that they’re ready to eat when you are. Plan ahead by using this simple meal template I use with clients, and always have a “plan B” option for a meal, smoothie, or snack in your freezer. Think frozen wild fish, berries, and vegetables for a smoothie, poultry, and burgers, the list goes on.
When unhealthy temptations are not readily available, sticking to your healthy eating food like this grilled cedar plank salmon will be much easier. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should never indulge in your favorite unhealthy foods, just do so when you really want that thing and you can sit down, without distraction or multitasking, and enjoy it without guilt.
Stay inspired.
One of the best ways to stick to a healthy diet is to find recipes you enjoy. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring! There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating delicious and nutritious meals. Use cooking as an opportunity to experiment with new ingredients and flavors. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy eating healthy foods when they’re prepared in a way you want.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider joining my monthly membership where I give a meal suggestion and smoothie recipe or tip each week. But also, you can also ask family and friends for their favorite healthy recipes. Once you find a few dishes you like, find a convenient way to save them, perhaps electronically or in a physical folder.
I have a few favorite cookbooks, including this older one by Diane Sanfilippo, but also a cookbook holder where I hold paper copies of recipes.
Sensing satiety & hunger is your best tool.
Overeating can quickly offset your progress in developing healthy eating habits. When we’re not paying attention to how much food we’re consuming, it’s easy to eat more than we need. To avoid overeating, be mindful of your portion sizes and only eat until you’re satisfied. It can also be helpful to use a smaller plate so that your portions appear more prominent.
If you find yourself snacking more often than you’d like, try to identify why you’re doing it. Are you bored? Stressed? Anxious? Once you know what’s triggering your unhealthy snacking habits, you can start to work on finding other ways to cope with these emotions. Maybe instead of reaching for a bag of chips, you can go for a walk or call a friend.
Developing healthy eating habits requires effort and dedication. However, it is possible to change your diet to improve your overall health and wellbeing. By following the tips listed above, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier lifestyle. Do you have any other suggestions for developing healthy eating habits?
If you are looking for help with your nutrition journey, let me know how I can help.