When it comes to New Year resolutions, ‘eating healthy’ and ‘staying fit’ are some of the most popular ones.
Each year, there is a desire in each one of us to do better than we did the previous year, especially when it comes to taking care of our bodies and, thereby, our health. With the added emphasis on health, it’s more important than ever to make those healthy eating resolutions and stick to them.
So, if you’ve decided that the coming year is dedicated to changing your habits and start living a healthier life, more power to you! We, as always, are happy to help. Whether it is setting more realistic and achievable goals or making small dietary changes, we’re giving you 10 tips to help you stick to your healthy eating goals this new year.
Don’t skip breakfast
Breakfast is the first meal of the day, so skipping it is an absolute no-no.
Your body needs to fuel up and prepare for the day ahead, so instead of skipping breakfast, it must be one of the most nutritious meals you consume in the day. Besides, eating a good breakfast keeps you away from the urge to nibble on unhealthy snacks for the rest of the day.
Eat more nuts
Start including nuts such as walnuts in your daily diet. A handful of walnuts can keep you away from hunger pangs and provide you with as much as 4g of protein, 2g of fiber, and 2.5g of plant-based omega-3 ALA. An excellent way to start making everyday healthy, don’t you think?
Cut down on sugar
Everything is good in moderation, and the same goes for sugar.
If you consume too much sugar in your tea, coffee, or any other drink in the day, start cutting down little by little.
You can also cut back on artificially sweetened drinks and other such beverages.
Keep a journal
Always, always track your progress! No matter what healthy eating goal you’ve set for yourself, keep track of it by maintaining a diary or journal. Note down what you eat and drink throughout the day, so that you can keep checking in and seeing how far you’ve come or where you’ve fallen behind.
Drink more water
Remember to stay hydrated at all times. Drinking enough water can not only boost your metabolism and flush out those toxins, but also keep you feeling full. You can also eat fruits or vegetables that have high water content.
Befriend people with similar goals
Having someone by your side to cheer you on and keep you motivated is very important. Find someone who shares the same healthy eating goals as you and keep each other updated. You can always push each other on and have somebody to talk to on the days when you slip up.
Eat more home-cooked meals
Eating restaurant cooked meals sometimes is okay. But, if you want to eat better and stay healthy, focus on eating home-cooked meals. They do not contain artificial flavours or colours, and every ingredient that goes into a home-cooked meal is washed well, so you always know that you’re eating something that is both safer and healthier than a meal that comes from the outside.
Eat more vegetables
Make sure that your plate contains a sufficient amount of veggies. Rich in fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients, vegetables form an integral part of a healthy diet. Besides, most veggies are low in fat and calories, so they’ll help you stay on track and eat healthy.
Focus on mindful eating
Practice mindful eating. This could mean pausing before each bite to stay in tune with how hungry you are or taking the time to chew and swallow every bite. This way, you will be able to savour your food and fully understand how much your body needs.
Exercise regularly
Needless to say, exercising is essential to healthy living. Merely focusing on what you eat is not enough. What’s also important is to balance it out with a good workout regime. Whether it is a 30-minute walk around the neighbourhood or a quick cardio session at home, get in some form of exercise each day in order to be active and healthy.
Keep these 10 tips in mind as you embark on this journey to a newer, healthier you. Don’t worry about the roadblocks. Just take things one step at a time, and things will slowly fall into place. Good luck!