Everywhere you look these days, you'll find information about the rewards of healthy eating. We all know that eating less sugar and more fruit and vegetables would make us feel energized, healthier, and happier.
But starting to make improvements to your eating habits can be daunting-especially if you're not sure where to start.
Here are a few tips on how to integrate healthier foods into your diet.
Get in the kitchen
One of the best things you can do for your health is to learn how to cook meals from scratch in your own kitchen. If you're new to cooking, start with the little one and try to plan a few basic dinners at home during the next month. Soups, curries, and stir fry are perfect for beginners because it's almost hard to mess up!
If you are already a kitchen-savvy, bump it up a notch. Challenge yourself to make more ingredients from scratch. For example, learn how to cook your own beans instead of using canned beans. Or, learn how to cook a type of food that you're not as familiar with. The more food you cook, the more power you have over what you consume and the healthier you can make!
Think about adding, not subtracting
One of the reasons why more people give up on new goals is that they are seeking to make a transition too drastic too soon. When you're thinking about making your diet better, start small and think about adding fresh ingredients to your repertoire rather than throwing the familiar food away.
Love pasta? Maybe turn to whole wheat or brown rice pasta with some arugula and sun-dried tomatoes this week. Looking for something sweet in the morning? Try a smoothie with vanilla almond milk, frozen banana, fresh spinach, and some hemp protein. Do you tend to overeat at dinner time? Start your meal with a colorful salad or a bowl of homemade vegetable soup and you'll be able to maximize your vegetable consumption when cutting back to the main course.
Small improvements add up over time, so keep things easy and manageable.
Get support!
It's much better (and more enjoyable!) to do something new with a friend. Enlist the assistance of a friend or family member to help each other make healthier improvements. Swap recipes, visit the latest restaurants together, or send each other the rest of your healthy dinners. Getting a "health buddy" can make you feel motivated by your decision to eat healthier and stay on track.
