You may know you want to improve your lifestyle and start eating more healthily, but when it actually comes to it, it can be a bit of a challenge. There is lots of information out there about what you should eat, and the various diets you should go on, but it can all be a bit overwhelming knowing where to start. There are some sure-fire ways to help you embrace a healthy eating habit, and ensure you stick to it!
Plan Your Meals
One of the first steps towards healthy eating is planning what you are actually going to eat. This makes it easier to eat more healthily consistently. If you can, make a list of what you are going to eat for every meal over the course of a week, this makes it easier to get all the ingredients when you go shopping. You are less likely to be tempted by the odd take away when you know you’ve got all the food in the house you need to make a healthy meal. It has been shown that if you are regularly preparing meals at home, then you are more likely to have less body fat.
Keep Meals Simple
If you are trying to eat more healthy options and cook more meals from scratch at home, you may get overwhelmed at the thought of becoming a cook! But recipes do not have to be as complicated as you might think. There are lots of simple recipes online for healthy meals no matter what food or diet you are wanting to try. These recipes for the paleo diet show how easy it can be when you keep the ingredients simple. You are less likely to get overwhelmed with the cooking side of things and more likely to keep on track with your healthy eating.
Prep Your Meals
So, you’ve chosen your recipes and got all the ingredients. Another great way to stay on track with your healthy eating lifestyle is to prepare your meals in advance. This way, you are less likely to succumb to temptation. When you already have dinner made for the next three nights, you are not going to be tempted by that burger on the way home from work. Invest in some great Tupperware, set aside a few hours maybe during the weekend or after work, and take the time to prepare your meals. This will then in turn also save you more time during the week when lunch or dinner is all ready and waiting for you. Have snacks prepared too – that way you are less likely to reach for a candy bar when you have a healthy snack to hand.
Everything In Moderation
Just remember that the more restricted you make your diet, the less likely you are going to stick with it. You are much more likely to get demotivated and slip off track if you completely limit some of your favorite things that you enjoy eating. It is still possible to live a healthy lifestyle and still enjoy your food. You can always switch out certain foods and find healthier alternatives. If you have a diet where nothing is off limits, but you are more careful about the quantities you eat, then you are still capable of sticking to healthy eating.
So, it just shows that it is all in the preparation. If you are able to plan your meals and your recipes, keep recipes simple, and prepare some of your meals in advance, then you are much more likely to embrace the healthy eating lifestyle and stick with it.
This is a collaborative post supporting our Peace In Peace Out initiative.