Healthy Eating 101
If you are looking to begin eating healthier, it doesn’t have to be difficult to start. Healthy eating along with sleep and exercise are very important for maintaining your health. If you struggle with eating healthy foods, then you know that breaking unhealthy habits can be a difficult part of the process.
A great first step on your way to a healthy lifestyle is to rid your home of temptations that will distract you from following better eating habits. Clearing your pantry, cabinets and refrigerator of junk foods, processed foods, and sugary beverages is a good start to a healthy lifestyle and takes away the temptation of eating unhealthy foods. If the thought of not having that go to snack available you may need to gradually wean yourself off of the sweet and salty snacks. It does not have to be all or nothing. Healthy eating is not about depriving yourself of all the good things in life, but about moderation.
Another great step to healthy eating, when you’re first starting the process, is to take a few moments to learn what foods are the healthiest for you and how they work within the body. To start eating healthy we must begin by thinking healthy. Most people understand that fruits, vegetables, and low-fat meats and some dairy products are good for you, but few people understand why. The key is learning about nutrients. When you understand how specific nutrients work and why you need them, it becomes more reasonable for you to make healthier choices for your body. If you are really serious about a healthier lifestyle, a nurtitionist, dietitian or health coach can help you learn and begin your healthy journey.
Preparation is key in starting a new healthy diet. You must take into consideration your schedule for meals. If you often eat in a rushed hurry at odd times of day, you are probably more inclined to grab a rushed meal which is not the healthiest choice. So, plan ahead! Instead of grabbing a fast food for lunch, take a bagged lunch to work, like a healthy wrap with protein with some fresh fruit and vegetables. Remember not to forget your evening meal, a simple plan to have a meal ready before you get home would be perfect. One way to solve this problem is to plan out your evening meals for the week. Meal planning is key to eating healthier. Once a week, plan your meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and make a grocery list based off of that plan. When you get home from the store, meal prep all your meals for the week and package them so the decision of what you are going to eat is already made and you can just grab your next meal from the fridge or freezer and guarantee your healthy eating success.
It is never too late to start healthy eating. The benefits of healthy eating can add years to your life and reverse some diseases. Start with baby steps. Even if you only replace one soda a day with a glass of water, you are really improving your calorie intake. If you eat fast food every day for lunch, try replacing that half of the time with better quality foods. When you start by taking small steps you aren’t cutting out all of the foods you love all at once. By taking your time to learn about your eating habits and slowly replacing them with better meals, you will feel much better physically, mentally and emotionally and well on the road to becoming as healthy as you can be
If you would like to explore how a health coach can help you with living a healthier life, schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me. here.