If eating healthy is on your to-do list BUT you are overwhelmed with more diets than you can count on both hands then you are not alone.
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. After all, if there was one diet that worked for everyone… then we would be in a much better place than we are. And the diet industry wouldn’t be a billion dollar industry like it is.
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:
1. 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.
The benefits of eating more raw foods is huge, as there are so many essential vitamins and minerals our body needs- and this is a great way to get more.
2. 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.
Eating less food from a box, or package will often meal less unnecessary things in your body. So get in a habit of reading the package before you toss it into your shopping cart.
3. Shop with a list and stock up 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. Then ensure they are always on hand, so shop with a list so that you don’t run out of these essentials.
4. 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 a common question I get from my clients, and so I encourage you to review what you are taking and make sure you its benefiting you. (talk to a professional if needed)
5. Wind down your evening with an earlier meal.
Don’t go to bed with a full tummy! Once dinner is over, make sure you allow your body time to digest everything before heading to bed. This allows better sleep and also keeps us from gaining unnecessary weight. It also limits things like acid reflux flare-ups.
There’s many other things we CAN do and maybe even SHOULD do- but this is a great start.
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 simplifying as much as possible.
If you love the idea of simplifying, then be sure to watch my free training:
