Making the decision to start eating healthy is not as easy as most may think. Some people just can’t fathom the idea of giving up cookies and ice cream, and all the junk that contributes to an unhealthy individual, both inside and out.
Becoming a nutritious eater doesn’t just happen by eating healthy for a day, a week, even months. And for many, it’s extremely hard to just cut out all the types of foods and drinks that have been a part of their life for so many years.
I started making healthier eating decisions when I started college; which is weird since most people’s eating habits negatively change after high school. We’ve all heard the term “freshman 15”; thankfully that was a term that never applied to me.
The point of all this is that taking baby steps each and every day in changing what and how much you put into your body will eventually transform the way you think and feel about food after you eat it. Be aware that trying to change everything at once usually leads to cheating or giving up on your new eating plan. I’ve compiled some small changes you can make in your everyday diet to cut calories and incorporate healthier options into your life.
1) Wherever you use milk (in your coffee, in your cereal, etc.) choose NON-FAT MILK. There’s no reason to add unnecessary fat to your diet when it really doesn’t taste that different.
2) Plan out your meals. For example, in the morning I decide what I will eat for lunch, dinner, and for snacks. I’m the type of person that gets really hungry late at night after dinner, so I plan that I will let myself have an apple with peanut butter after dinner, and THAT’S IT! Snacking late at night on unhealthy food is a terrible idea. Prepare yourself a fresh fruit plate earlier in the day for an after dinner snack- your body will thank you!
3) Integrate lots of colors from fruits and vegetables into your diet. Fruits and veggies are the foundation of a healthy diet! They are low in calories and nutrient dense, which means they are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber.
4) You’ve heard this over, and over, and over- DRINK WATER! You can even think of water as a “food group” in your diet- not only does it flush out toxins and give you energy, but it makes you feel FULL, therefore, you won’t be tempted to make unhealthy decisions
5) Don’t restrict yourself from ALL bad foods- you are only setting yourself up to fail. Instead, try cutting portion sizes and treating yourself to a small portion of your favorite food. You can also give yourself a substitute if you’re really trying to practice the art of eating healthy. For example, when I’m craving sweet foods, I’ll make myself Greek yogurt with granola and fresh berries. This 100% of the time satisfies my sweet tooth- I literally haven’t touched a piece of candy or had a cookie in years!
6) EAT BREAKFAST! I cannot stress enough how important it is to fuel your body first thing in the morning so that it carries that energy throughout the day. Skipping breakfast equals a slower metabolism and overeating throughout the rest of the day.
7) Eat healthy carbohydrates and whole grains- I can’t even tell you the last time I ate a piece of white bread. And it’s not hard AT ALL to switch to whole grain or 100% whole wheat. A lot of people even say it tastes better.
8) Try different types of protein such as beans, nuts, seeds, peas, tofu, and soy products. This will open up new options for healthy eating since a lot of people think of protein as beef or chicken. Whether or not you’re a vegetarian, you may really enjoy these varieties of protein. I love slicing tofu and adding it to my salad with olive oil and sea salt and for a nutritious, protein-packed meal!
These are just a few changes you should try including in your diet! Please comment and feel free to share your experiences, questions or any tips you may have!
To your health,
Walking Lettuce Leaf
