Contrary to popular belief, a healthy diet doesn’t mean that you have to eliminate all of your favorite foods. Rather, it’s more about gradually making small changes. Set realistic goals for yourself, such as adding a salad to your diet during lunch or dinner or drinking more water. As you start to form one healthy habit, you’ll naturally want to add more!
Here are a few things you can do to start cleaning up your diet:
1. Look at the Label
Food manufacturers don’t always tell the truth, so it’s your responsibility to pay attention to what ingredients are in your food. Try to avoid foods that include refined grains, sugars, and hydrogenated oils. Instead, look for whole food ingredients.
2. Find Healthy Alternatives
You can easily find tasty alternatives to your favorite foods. For example, consider replacing fried chicken with grilled salmon or a hamburger with a turkey burger.
3. Fast from Fast Food
It’s easy, and it’s everywhere. However, avoiding the drive-thru is a giant step toward developing a healthy diet! Often, these foods are highly processed. (Yes, even the salads.)
4. Limit Your Snacks
You can’t eat what’s not there! Try to avoid having unhealthy snacks and treats in your cupboard, as these will most likely only be a temptation. Instead, start off on the right foot by filling your fridge and cabinets with healthy foods.
5. Stop the Midnight Munchies
Our bodies work on a circadian rhythm, which involves us eating during the day and sleeping at night. Altering this rhythm could affect our hormones, blood sugar levels, weight, cholesterol, and even memory!
6. Moderate, Don’t Eliminate
As previously stated, you don’t have to eliminate your favorite meals when you switch to a healthy diet. Rather, you should focus on limiting how often you eat those specific foods and your portion. Try serving your meals on smaller plates or in smaller bowls, as this can trick your brain into thinking you’re eating a larger portion!
7. Eat With Others
Eating by yourself in front of the computer or TV often results in overeating, but when you have other people around you are more likely to be focused on the conversation rather than your food.
