Changing your diet takes a lot of willpower, which is why people start eating plans and give up a short time later. Rather than suddenly switching to a new diet, you should instead make subtle changes to your current one. You can then gradually build on these modifications over time. Doing so will lead to a long-term solution rather than a quick fix.
The changes below are a good starting point.
Leave The Boose On The Shelf
Having a couple of drinks has been shown to have health benefits, but in general, you should leave the alcohol alone. One drink can quickly become two, then three, then…
Many alcoholic drinks (especially beer and mixed drinks) contain large amounts of sugar that could contribute to weight gain.
If you do regularly enjoy a drink, then it’s not recommended that you go cold turkey. It’s easier and more manageable to gradually decrease your intake. For example, if you typically have 20 standard drinks per week, then you could aim to reduce that to 15 per week. Stick to that for a month and then make your next goal 10 per week.
Trim The Fat
If you’re regularly eating fatty cuts of beef and pork, then you may want to trim the excess fat off the sides. This is a quick and easy way to reduce the calories in your meals. Better yet, shop for low-fat cuts in the first place.
Look For Organic Options
Pesticides and other chemicals used to grow food can affect their quality. You don’t have to go 100% organic but rather try and incorporate more of these options into your diet.
Backtofarm.com is a good resource for learning more about how food is grown.
Skip The TV Dinners
Premade microwave meals are a tempting purchase. However, they are often packed with preservatives and other unwanted chemicals. A better option is to make your own with leftovers from home-cooked meals.
Remember, Fruit Is The Fasted Fast Food
Unhealthy eating habits often stem from a lack of time or motivation for preparing something more nutritious. That’s why it’s important to have food available that is healthy and has next to zero preparation time. A good option is fruit, and don’t just limit yourself to apples and bananas. Stocking up on a range of options means that you will always have something tasty on hand.
Aim For A Vegetable Rainbow
It sounds corny, however, choosing vegetables with a range of different colors is a good way to make sure you are taking in the necessary vitamins and minerals. For example:
- Red vegetables are typically highest in vitamin C.
- Green vegetables are typically high in iron.
- Black and purple vegetable are often high in antioxidants.
- White mushrooms contain potassium and vitamin D.
Final Thoughts
These modifications are all fairly simple and can pave the way for a gradual diet overhaul. Try to incorporate them into your lifestyle so that you can improve your overall health.
