It is often hard to know where to begin when you want to try a new diet. There are so many to choose from and so many different opinions as to which is the best, and even which ones can be dangerous to your health. Even when choosing a new diet, sticking to one for the long term can be extremely difficult. The better choice is to make efforts toward eating healthier because it can be done without spending lots of money and is easier to stick with.
The first step toward healthier eating is simple: make a conscious choice to change. Tell friends and family about your decision. This may seem like a small step, but it creates a support system that can be crucial in the long term.
Then next thing to do is to start keeping track of what and when you eat on a daily basis. Many dietitians suggest a food journal. Don’t make any efforts to change your diet and don’t lie to yourself. Just start a small notebook and keep track every day for at least a week. Now, you have a clear idea of where you are starting from and where to begin to make changes.
To head toward a healthier lifestyle, start by limiting the snack foods that are kept in your
kitchen. By simply removing the temptation, it becomes much easier to eat healthy. One easy trick is to not ever keep your key downfalls; whether it is ice cream or potato chips, in the house. This means that if you have a craving, you must make a special trip to the store. Of course, sometimes you might do exactly that, but other times you might decide that it is much easier to eat the healthier options which are already in the home.
One of the most important things to do is start adding fresh fruit and vegetables to your daily food intake. This doesn’t have to be complicated, unpleasant or expensive. Choose things that you enjoy like watermelon or strawberries; even celery and peanut butter. It is important to get some variety, but don’t fill your home with spinach and brussel sprouts if you can’t stand to eat them. Also, fresh is always best, but if you are concerned about food spoiling, try frozen instead – they generally have more vitamins and minerals than the canned variety.
Don’t expect to be perfect. Sometimes a piece of chocolate or a slice of pie is the only thing that is going to hit the spot and depriving yourself will only make you more likely to give up altogether. But do make some changes. Have popcorn instead of chips or a cup of hot chocolate instead of a chocolate sundae. Also, keep healthy snacks around that are easy to prepare and eat. Baby carrots are a great option and they are edible straight from the bag.
Another easy change is to beef up your cooking skills. You don’t need to be a gourmet cook or to spend hours in front of the stove. It is helpful to learn a few recipes that are healthy which are enjoyable, whatever they may be. The other thing to experiment with is the different types of spices. It is amazing how much flavor you can add to a dish using the appropriate spices, instead of loading it with just butter and salt.