We have been introduced to more diets and types of eating than we can count on both hands in our lifetime. It seems as if there is a new fad to learn about every few months and explore if it's "the one" for us. The truth is, though, these diets set us up for failure, and that's precisely why they never pan out the way we hope.
There's a silver lining, though -- it's actually way more
simple than we are making it. The results we're looking for come when we
simplify our eating habits and focus on fueling our bodies with nutrient-dense
foods that make us feel good.
Here are five tips for simplifying your eating habits:
Eat more
raw, whole foods.
Eating more food in its most natural state is a great way to
cut some time and stress from our mealtimes. For example, grab a piece of fruit
on the way out the door instead of breakfast from the coffee shop. Add some
fresh veggies as a side at lunch instead of packing chips. Toss everything in a
bowl to create a big salad for dinner instead of a complicated recipe or
take-out.
Look for
simple ingredient lists.
There's a reason the Whole30 diet gained so much popularity, and it's because it really opened our eyes to how many chemicals, additives, and fillers we eat each day. Put an emphasis on reading labels and choosing foods that only include ingredients we know (and can pronounce). This is a simple way to make better choices at the grocery store.
Figure out your staples.
Everyone has staple foods and favorite meals. By identifying
what we love to eat, it's easier to keep those healthy items in the rotation,
either as snacks, pantry items, or meals that we plan each week.
Reevaluate
how you're supplementing.
You may have a protein shake every day, without fail. But do
you really enjoy it? It probably has just become a habit. That protein powder
likely has many ingredients that can be good, but equally as many that aren't
so great. Perhaps you'd actually rather eat your protein each day because a
well-rounded dinner is way more fulfilling than a shake on the go. Check in
with your habits and decide what works best for your life.
It's not what we do once - it's what we do once a day - day in and day out - every day that brings lasting change into our lives.
Declare an end to the day.
By choosing a specific time each day when we know dinner is over, we allow our body time to digest everything that we have enjoyed before heading to bed. This allows us to sleep better and also keeps us from gaining unnecessary weight. It also limits things like acid reflux flare-ups.I have found that these habits begin to come naturally after
practicing them for a couple of weeks. It may take a few more minutes to prep
raw food or check labels while shopping, but once you get into the swing of
things, you'll be saving yourself time overall by paring down and simplifying
as much as possible.
How to turn your new healthy habits into a lifetime of health and wellness.
In health and happiness, Teri Sewell Huff
Holistic Health Coach and Culinary Nutrition Educator
terisewell@gmail.com
www.luvyourhealthylife.com
IG - @terishealthyways
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