If youve pledged to get healthier and develop healthy eating habits in the new year, youre not alone.
Adopting healthy eating habits is worth it, though.
“We love habits because we do them without much conscious effort,” Albers says.
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“They don’t feel like work.
Quick fixes are like putting a Band-Aid on a broken arm.”
The more colors you paint your plate with, the more variation you’re getting nutrient-wise.
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Plus, it keeps things interesting so you don’t get bored.
Speaking of which…
We seem to eat the same foods repeatedly.
This limits our nutritional range, Albers says.
Portrait laughing woman in kitchen
You might just discover a new favorite youve been missing all this time.
Its like laying a strong foundation of a house, she explains.
If youget the mindful eating down, you will have an easier time creating new habits.
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Youll feel more satisfied, stop eating when youre truly full, and ultimately make healthier choices.
Pause before taking a bite, andchew slowlyand intentionally, Albers suggests.
Albers notes thatstress eatingis a bad habit for so many people.
By finding otherways to cope with stress, youll slowly stop turning to food for comfort.
Packaged foods we buy at the grocery store can have a lot of unnecessary ingredients.
The best way to know whats in your food?
This way you click into doing it even when you don’t feel like it, Albers says.
Eat meals around the same times every day, or dedicate Sunday mornings tomeal prep.
Once it becomes routine, itll come more naturally.
Put treats out of sight and off the counter.
Put a fruit bowl right on the counter, Albers suggests.
We all know how this goes.
By planning out meals andsnacks throughout the day, you’re able to prevent this from happening.
Most of us struggle with portion control, and many times, its a total accident.
We just dont know what a true portion size looks like.
Take time on a Sunday and get out the measuring cups, Baumrind suggests.
Another way to help control your portion sizes?
Simply use smaller dishes.
When its cold we forget that, Baumrind says.
Plus, its always a good idea to fill up on the most nutritious foods first.
When you cook, make enough for an extra meal or two so that you haveleftovers in the fridge.
There are plenty ofbenefits of meal prep, from eating healthier to saving money.
Baumrind emphasizes the importance of also prepping snacks.
At home, we dont usually have an appetizer and whole main course, Baumrind says.
So when youre out to eat, you should do the same.
Eating should be a positive experience.
You’re fueling your body and hopefully enjoying the taste while doing so.
Want to eat that cookie?Eat that cookie!
Savor it and be glad you did.
Focusing too much on eating “right” can become a slippery slope,from paying attention to obsessing.
Healthy eatinglike so much of lifeis all about balance.
