It is easy to become vulnerable to bad foods when there is such a large variety of them available to us. Most of the time, we have become so accustomed to certain foods that we are unaware of their defaults altogether.
Making the commitment to a healthy diet is the first step to changing how your body feels both physically and mentally. Eating healthy becomes a habit shortly after you take the initiative to start doing it. The benefits that come with eating healthy and the feeling of being healthful become addicting and in turn, will make you want to stick with it.
Here are some tips on eating healthy and how to stick with it:
Eating Healthy
Do not be fooled by nutrition misconceptions
- We are all susceptible to getting punk’d by common nutrition myths. For example, society has this idea that carbs are bad for you. Truth is, carbohydrates are a vital aspect to every healthy diet. Educate yourself on what foods are good to eat and which to stay away from. (reference my article, “News Alert, Carbs Are Not Bad For You”)
Eat a full breakfast
- Having a well-rounded breakfast is key to a successful day with plenty of energy. I suggest hitting all three macronutrient groups (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) with a meal like avocado toast and eggs to give you that push to get out of the house in the morning.
Eat regularly throughout the day
- Have you ever eaten so much that you just don’t want to do anything? Smaller portions, more frequently throughout the day will help you feel satisfied and stay energized without that feeling of being unmotivated. You can boost your metabolism by eating smaller portions of nutrient dense foods throughout the day. Three meals a day with two snacks in between is perfect as long as you remember to be aware of your portion sizes.
Simplify
- Do not worry about counting calories. Look at food as fuel that you need in order to get through the day - too much of which will slow you down. You can't put a number on healthy eating so simply being aware and listening to what your body needs is more effective than taking the time to count calories.
Know what foods compliment your workout
- Fuel your fitness. You will be more successful in your workout if you eat the right foods before and after. Carbohydrates are your body's first choice when converting food to energy, so I suggest incorporating carbs into your pre-workout meal. Post-workout meals should include a good portion of protein to help your muscles get all the benefits out of your workout.
Sticking with it
Don’t feed into temptation
- When grocery shopping, limit yourself to only one of your favorite ‘cheat’ foods for special occasions. This way, you will not be tempted to eat them all the time if they are not in your pantry in the first place. Instead, slim up your snacks by trying healthier alternatives such as carrots and hummus or a banana with peanut butter. Since you are eating more frequently throughout the day, pack these snacks for on the go.
Nothing is “off limits”
- Naturally we want foods more if we think we cannot have them. Save yourself the defeat that comes with giving into bad foods by not labeling them as "off limits" in the first place. Once you start to eat healthier, you will lose the craving for unhealthy foods altogether.
Make food fun
- Look at food as an opportunity to get creative and try new things. Getting together with friends or family to cook a meal can give you new ideas on how to implement healthy habits into your life and keep you wanting to work at it. Plus, eating together is more fun than eating alone.
Don’t give in to peer pressure
- This is easier said than done. There are always going to be people that try to talk you out of your commitment to eat healthy. This is easily the hardest part of eating healthy. Stand up for yourself and stick to what you are doing because, in the end, the benefits and the way you will feel will all be worth it.
