As it is March, it is also National Nutrition Month and that means that health bloggers are most likely flocking to their feeds to post some extra mouth-watering recipes for nutritiously tasty treats and savory meals that are just waiting to be made. Hopefully, you already follow a few of these gurus (whether your vegan, vegetarian, plant-based or not, or simply curious) to help kickstart your month of healthy eating with that much-needed motivation.

If you are a newbie to green smoothies and banana-oatmeal pancakes or already a fitness fanatic with a love for deadlifts and protein-packed treats, you'll have probably heard from someone somewhere that fitness is 20 percent exercise and 80 percent nutrition. That's right. But whether that's scientifically proven or not, it should be no shock that you have to feed your body the right types of food to lead a healthy lifestyle. Of course, you should always aim to be active as well for optimal health, but at this very moment, let's focus on nutrition.

To ensure that you're feeding your body essential nutrients for a personal goal, whether that's having a healthy relationship with food, advocating for a healthy environment, gaining muscle mass or losing a few inches of body fat, make sure to stock up your kitchen with whole foods because that is what your body will know best to digest. Keep it real with your body and in return, you'll see some real sustainable results.

If something feels too forced, try a different approach to your method. Any lifestyle changes you make should be challenging but enjoyable because you want to make sure you'll continue on with them in the long run. Know that any small swap in your meals for something much more nutrient-dense will always be worth it in the end.

Any changes you make are a change in your mindset and what you do to your body is an investment. Invest in yourself and you'll reap rewards, both mentally and physically. You can do this!

1. Start reading your food's nutrition labels.

It's convenient to start biting down on a chocolate bar or a piece of bread, but lots of foods these days have ingredients that are completely refined and processed. The simpler and familiar an ingredient list is, the more likely it is better for you.

Typically, the best foods for your health don't require nutrition labels, such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables because they are, and should only be a simple ingredient; but other snacks contain hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup, among other things, which in a well-rounded diet, are not necessary.

Learn to read nutrition labels to ensure your consuming foods with many nutrients to help give you enough energy to lead a healthy lifestyle.

2. Keep a glass of water available at all times.

Your body relies on water for many functions such as regulating itself, removing toxins, and digesting food, so it is important to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. You do not only have to drink water to replenish the amount you expend through sweat or breathing; you can also eat foods high in water content.

An easy tip to remember to ensure you are hydrated at all times is to have one or two glasses of water 30 minutes before and after every meal. This will also help curb calorie intake since it may keep you feeling full — since it's easy to confuse thirst for hunger at times. You can also use an app to track your consumption of water but always listen to your body since the amount of water you need is individualized.

3. Make your plate colorful.

A colorful plate will look pretty but more importantly, it will be filled with healthy foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins. As we all know, fruits and vegetables come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, as well as vibrant colors, so there is no doubt you'll be eating everything you need if you always aim to include colorful plants in your diet at every meal. Red, blue, green, yellow, whatever the color may be, know that you'll be filling your plate up with essential fiber, minerals, and immunity-building nutrients.

Don't be afraid to eat the skin of colorful foods as well. The skin — like those of apples, potatoes, mangoes, and carrots — is where many beneficial nutrients are found so it helps that they are edible. By eating the skin, you will also be minimizing food waste, which is incredibly important and helpful for oneself, the environment, and communities.

4. Eat foods with a nice crunch to them.

When you eat foods that take longer to chew, you prolong the amount of time you spend on each bite which may help you slow down your eating and prevent overeating. Studies have found that it takes around 20 minutes for your stomach to signal to your brain that it is full, so by taking longer to eat, with the help of crunchy foods, you'll get to savor your meals while also giving your body ample time to know when it's time to stop. So slow down and enjoy every bite you take.

5. Ask how a chef prepares the food you order.

Eating out is a very social experience and in the heat of things, it is easy to just order off of a menu without giving a second thought to the steps it takes to create the meal you just ordered. However, by becoming more aware of the fact that when you order a salad, lots of heavy calories may be loaded onto it through dressings and vinaigrettes, or that your pancakes or toast may be battered with lots of butter and oils, you might just be eating more than half of your recommended calories for a day in one sitting.

Instead of dealing with any heavy bloating or excessive consumption as a result of a large restaurant meal, read up on a menu before entering a restaurant and don't be afraid to ask questions, like any about portion sizes. You may not want to be "that friend" who seems picky about what to eat every time you go out but it is good to be aware of what and how much you're consuming, no matter what. It's your body and you have every right to ask questions just like you have every right to indulge on occasions.

To save yourself the trouble though if you're concerned about scenarios like this, opt for restaurants that are more health-conscious or ask for dressings on the side. You can also ask to have half of your meal boxed (including leftovers) so that you do not feel inclined to eat everything all at once. Doing so can also, again, help reduce any food waste. Another tip is to eat a small meal ahead of time while at home so that you'll feel satisfied enough eating a smaller lighter side dish as a meal.

6. Fill your feed up with posts from fitness or nutrition gurus you admire.

A little motivation can go a long way. If you're always on social media, surely you've come across people who post their artsy looking meals on Instagram or maybe it is you capturing the photos of your yummy Instaworthy foods. Whatever the case may be, there are hundreds of other people who are sharing their creations and tips online to help inspire others to be more health conscious while also helping them be nutritiously satisfied.

It is easier to lead a more healthy balanced lifestyle when you surround yourself with positive people and choose to consume media that follow your values. Just do a quick online search for plant-based bloggers or Instagram accounts to follow — because you can never go wrong with plant-based recipes — and you'll find yourself staring at so many accounts to choose from that you're bound to find someone whose healthy lifestyle, recipes and advice are the exact motivation you're looking for.

7. Plan your grocery list prior to shopping.

Last but not least, keep your weekly meals in mind when you start thinking about what it is you need from the store. It can be hard to resist those chocolate cookies displayed right at the center of an aisle, but when you already have a list ready, you can focus more getting the items listed rather than browsing aisles and grabbing things you don't need.

In addition, buying in bulk tends to be a common practice, but that, as studies have found, can be a recipe for food waste. You will miss out on essential nutrients if you tend to overbuy and then throw away food you never ate. With a thought-out list, you can save money by not overspending on unnecessary items and eat healthier food. Just make sure that what you buy is what you will use, and if something seems spoiled like stale bread or vegetable scraps, you can turn them into croutons or vegetable stock. Consider hundreds of other ways to minimize food waste impact while practicing healthy habits.

Now is the time to start making healthy living a reality. Saying "I'll try again tomorrow" after caving for a hearty donut or pizza after a long day should not become a habit.

Today is all that you need to start making changes that can last a lifetime. It's not a great feeling to regret eating something you know wasn't too good for you but neither is beating yourself up over it; a balance is key, so don't overly restrict yourself. Just focus on what you're adding to your diet — nutrient-dense foods versus focusing on what you're taking away.

Also, don't think that you'll be sacrificing taste for health as you embark on a wellness journey. Good food tastes good. It might take some getting used to if your diet has been one filled with fried processed food or dishes with lots of added sugar but give yourself a few days to adjust.

Keep changes simple and tasty, and find others who will help you stay on track with your nutrient-filled lifestyle. Introducing plant-based foods into your life is a sustainable practice with environmental benefits. Just remember that you are not alone on your journey towards health and every step, no matter how small, counts. Today's decisions are tomorrow's results.