5 Ways to Make Healthy Eating a Piece of Cake
Posted February 03, 2020 by Hanna Rice RDN LD
Eat healthy. Exercise. Lose the extra holiday L-Bs. These are some of the most common goals many of us try to accomplish each year. But, it’s just about the time of year when these all-too familiar New Year’s Resolutions start to fall by the wayside.
Life can get in the way, temptations arise and we can default to old habits. So this year, let’s try something different. Instead of listing the same goals year after year, let’s put to practice lifestyle changes that will help us stay motivated throughout the year in order to achieve them.
The ability to develop healthy lifestyle habits over time is the secret to staying motivated for the long haul. Hey, it’s a lifestyle, not a fad!
Here are 5 ways to help make healthy eating a piece of cake.
Start small
Gradually work your way into a healthy lifestyle. There’s no need to do it all at once and cut out entire food groups. If you change all of your eating habits at once, it’s likely you’ll quickly find yourself back at square one again, wondering how you can stay motivated throughout the year
Instead, start small by adjusting any unhealthy habits. Try to focus on one goal at a time! Maybe this week focus on drinking more water throughout the day, and next week you can focus on incorporating more veggies into meals or snacks. You can even make small changes within each meal, such as swapping out mayo for avocado on your turkey sandwich.
Make time for healthy eating
With hectic schedules, planning ahead is a must. Use a calendar to prioritize so you can carve out time for grocery shopping and cooking healthy meals each week. If you schedule time for healthy eating, just like you would a doctor’s appointment, you’ll find it’s easier to stick with it.
In addition, invest in time-saving tools, such as a food processor or a crock pot, to help make you more efficient in the kitchen. Grocery pickup services can not only help you avoid temptations in the grocery aisles making their way to your cart, but it can also help you to save time grocery shopping. You can also make it a family effort by asking your spouse and kids for help. Delegate tasks, such as making the grocery list or planning or prepping meals, to help get the job done.
Eat what you like
A diet that contains foods you do not like won’t last and it’s a wasted effort. To make this new lifestyle change last, you have to incorporate foods that you enjoy.
Incorporate a variety of foods from different food groups. Make sure you’re not eating the same foods day in and day out because that can quickly turn into burnout. Break up your healthy eating routine by trying new foods or new recipes, and even concocting your own, but just make sure you enjoy all the ingredients.
Protect your home from junk food
Junk food can be found everywhere you turn, from birthday celebrations to office break rooms. You can’t always control what happens outside your home, but you can control what happens inside.
So, create a place where healthy eating is the norm. Eliminate any temptations or junk foods that you may find in your refrigerator and pantry. Instead, keep them stocked with healthy options you like to eat, such as fresh fruits and vegetables with hummus, cheese, nuts, protein bars, Greek yogurt and more.
Don’t go it alone
Whether it’s a friend, family member, spouse or co-worker, changing tough habits is more attainable with a buddy. It’s easier when you have someone to share the experience with — whether it’s big wins or a backward slide. Plus, in times of weakness, it’s best to lean on someone to keep you motivated to stay the course.
If you need extra support in starting your weight loss journey, talk to your doctor or call the Summa Health Weight Management Institute’s dedicated line 330.375.6201 for outpatient Nutrition Services to discuss meeting with a dietitian for Nutrition Education. Nutrition Education focuses on educating the patient regarding topics such as meal planning, nutrient content, portion sizes and label reading. A physician referral is not needed for nutrition education.
About the Author
Hanna Rice RDN LD
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