From changing diet “fads” to misconceptions about how to eat healthier to reach your weight loss goals, numerous factors make dieting seem complicated (and maybe even impossible).
But healthy eating shouldn’t be so confusing. In reality, there is no magic method or list of guidelines that will automatically make us achieve our health goals, feel more energized, clear our skin, and lose weight.
Also, a diet that is too restrictive is never sustainable: when we eat from a place of restriction, we will never feel satisfied. The food should be pleasant and nutritious.
Also read: Flexitarian diet: “Vegebased” without giving up meat
Try the following ways to eat healthier that you can stick with long term (and none of them involve cutting out an entire food group).
1. Eat leafy greens with two meals a day
From spinach to arugula, leafy greens are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Plus, they’re so easy to sneak into meals. Try adding them to smoothies too.
2. Find plant-based alternatives to your favorite foods.
If you don’t like salads, don’t eat salads! Forcing yourself to eat boring foods will lead to excessive cravings and, worst of all, an unfulfilling life.
Instead of eating foods you don’t like, get creative with healthier versions of your favorite foods. Try adding more vegetables or making simple healthier changes like chickpea pasta.
3. Make food “sacred”
Eating healthy isn’t just about what you eat, it’s also about how. In a world where potlucks often take place and fast food is on every corner, we forget that eating isn’t just for survival.
Mealtime serves as a reminder to stop, slow down, and enjoy. Consider taking a break, turning off the TV, putting your phone away, and making every meal an opportunity to relax and be mindful.
4. Stock up on good-for-you drinks
You already know how to drink water and avoid sugary drinks as much as possible. You can try drinking a green juice or replace your standard soda with sparkling water, mint, and lemon.
5. Add fruit to your breakfast
He fruit is full antioxidants, rails and herbal fibers. They come from of he Land– he body us is intended to he he eats.
6. Add herbs to every meal
Another easy way to introduce fresh produce is to add herbs to every meal. While herbs are generally considered a garnish, they are actually leafy greens that are packed with nutrients and a variety of health benefits. Plus, they make everything taste more delicious.
7. Listen to your body’s hunger signals.
Instead of forcing yourself to eat three meals a day or five small meals a day, find the amount, time, and method of eating that works best for your body and lifestyle. Focus on feeding your body with the necessary energy.
8. Sprinkle everything with seeds
Seeds like chia, flaxseed, and pumpkin contain a wide variety of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals like calcium, zinc, and magnesium.
9. Include more water-rich foods in your diet
Eating foods high in water is the secret to long-lasting hydration (and a luminous glow from within), by consuming plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and berries that are high in water.
10. Try a new vegetable every week
Challenge yourself to try a different vegetable that you have never tried before. Trying or cooking something new will not only make your meals more exciting, but a wider variety of foods also means a wider variety of nutrients.
11. Fill most of your plate with food from the earth.
Just make sure that most of your plate comes from the land (rather than a factory), whether it’s fruits, vegetables, whole grains (like oats, rice, and quinoa), or nuts and seeds.
12. Add more fiber to your diet
Fiber is the part of food that the body cannot break down, so it passes through the entire digestive system and helps keep it healthy.
13. Eat the rainbow
Plants get their colors from antioxidants, so it makes sense to eat all the colors to provide your body with all the antioxidants, right? It’s the easiest way to ensure you’re getting plenty of phytonutrients and the full range of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.