Eating healthy can feel overwhelming if you’re not used to filling your plate with fruits and vegetables. Many people want to eat healthier but simply aren’t sure where to start. In this article, we’ll give you six tips for eating healthier and adjusting your diet so you can start reaching your wellness goals.
#1 More Veggies
Most people don’t get enough vegetables during the day because they opt for meats, grains and dairy instead. Vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that help everything from your heart to your bones function at its best.
When you cook your next meal or serve yourself food, try to focus on having the bulk of your plate filled with colorful vegetables. Think about a “rainbow plate” and aim to eat as many colors as possible. This ensures you’re getting a full spectrum of nutrients with every meal.
#2 Supplement With Smoothies
Greens are a powerful food group for every person but not everyone loves the flavor in things like spinach, kale or collard greens. A great way to sneak more greens into your diet while you grow accustomed to the flavor is with a green superfood powder. You can put a scoop of powder in your favorite fruit smoothie every day to get all the benefits without the taste.
This is a great way to start your day with a hefty helping of antioxidants and energy-boosting nutrients.
#3 Eat Whole Foods
We’re not talking about the grocery store. Whole foods mean any food in its natural form instead of packaged or processed products. For example, instead of buying frozen hamburger patties, you can buy ground meat and make the patties yourself. Or instead of buying tomato sauce, you can cook down fresh tomatoes.
Opting for whole foods helps you avoid unhealthy chemicals and additives in your food that can disrupt your body and cause health problems. Plus it helps you avoid the refined sugars that most packaged and processed products include.
#4 Eliminate Sugar
Speaking of sugar, studies have shown it’s damaging to your health in a number of ways. Although this isn’t an easy thing to do, eliminating sugar from your diet can have significant benefits. Sugar is addictive, so be prepared for some unpleasant side effects if you do decide to kick the habit.
Instead of reaching for candy bars or sugary drinks, try to opt for a piece of fruit or a glass of water. The longer you go without indulging your sugar cravings, the easier it will be to choose a healthy option until eventually you’re not tempted by sugar at all.
#5 Drink Water
The majority of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration, which can cause issues like fatigue, muscle cramps and headaches. Water helps your cells function properly, which makes your entire body function properly, so it’s an incredibly important building block of a healthy diet.
One of the easiest ways to drink more water is to purchase a reusable water bottle and carry it around with you. You’d be surprised how much more you can drink when you simply have the option at hand.
#6 Always Bring a Grocery List
You’ve probably heard the advice, “Never buy groceries when you’re hungry.” We’ve all come home from a hunger-fueled grocery run only to realize we bought tons of snacks and no real food. The key to eating healthy is planning your meals and creating a grocery list. This keeps you organized and on track when you go to the grocery story so you don’t give in to cravings.
After you make your list, make a promise to yourself that you’ll only buy things on the list. If it’s not on the list, you have to walk away. This can keep you honest with your diet and help you overcome grocery store cravings.
Changing your diet is a big deal and it requires hard work, but these six tips will help you get started!
