The beginning of a new year means that many people are looking to make resolutions on how they want to be better or live better. If one of your resolutions for 2018 is to start eating healthier, here are some helpful tips on how to do that.
Tip #1: Eat whole foods.
Eating whole foods is incredibly important to changing your lifestyle. That is, eat food that grows, not food that is processed and packaged. Whole foods contain helpful antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that you won’t find in processed foods. In fact, processed foods often contain a lot of sugar and sodium, which can be detrimental to your health in the long run. Don’t fall into the trap that advertisers and marketers try to put consumers in, but instead remind yourself that eating fresh whole food is the key to living a healthier, active lifestyle. So, when you’re tempted to grab a bag of chips, grab something fresh and crunchy instead, like celery, apples, snap peas, or carrots!
Tip #2: Cut yourself some slack.
Changing your eating habits will take time, so cut yourself some slack and don’t beat yourself up if you slip up every so often and fall back into your old ways of eating. Lifestyle changes are hard and it’s okay to make mistakes along the way. The end goal is a healthier body and mind, and you can reach that goal if you just take things one step at a time.
Tip #3: Drink more water.
This is an easy to-do that we simply forget about sometimes during our busy days. But, drinking water means that your body stays hydrated and helps your body function properly, in addition to making sure you don’t overeat. Keep water at your desk during your hours spent at work, or while you’re out running errands, take a water bottle with you and hydrate throughout the day.
Tip #4: Have fun with it.
Once you start feeling more energized and you notice a difference in how you look and feel, you’ll likely feel more motivated to stay on track! Have fun with your new lifestyle change. Research new recipes that look fun to make and get creative with how you’re going to make this change in your life. Self-care is important and once you start noticing the positive effects of eating well, you’ll want to continue to live well and have fun!
Your eating habits really do matter! Changing how you eat can transform your life and help you live a longer, healthier life.