Healthy eating doesn’t need to be complicated. With a little planning and preparation, you will be making healthier foods choices in no time.
Here are some tips to get started:
- Get organized! Know what meals and snacks you will be having, create a grocery list, and go out and get only what is on that list.
- Use a slow cooker/crockpot to prepare foods such as meats, soups, stews, and chili.
- Save time by investing in a rice cooker.
- Create a schedule for meal preparation and stick to it!
- Chop vegetables as soon as you get home from the grocery store. This makes it faster and easier when it is time to prepare a salad or stir fry, as well as for grab-and-go snacking.
- Stock your pantry. Always have items such as oatmeal, rice, quinoa, pasta, canned tomatoes, low-sodium broth, tomato paste, tomato sauce, olive oil, avocado oil, and canned or dried beans on hand.
- Stock up on herbs and spices.
- Have good quality protein such as eggs, chicken, fish, and/or tofu readily available.
- KEEP IT SIMPLE!! Choose basic, healthy recipes which include real, whole foods and spices, simply prepared.
- Create a recipe database so that they are easily found and referenced when needed.
- Ask for help. Are there members in the family that can help with cutting vegetables sorting snacks, and/or meal preparation?
- Batch cook. Prepare large amounts of rice, quinoa, meat and/or beans at the beginning of the week to be enjoyed in salads and stir fries throughout the week.
- Make a double batch of recipes to be stored in the freezer for another time.
- Pre-portion your meals and keep them in individual storage containers in the fridge or freezer.
Changing your lifestyle and making healthier choices is never going to be easy. It will even seem overwhelming at first.
- Start slow.
- Find the strategies that work for you and your unique lifestyle. Remember that not all strategies work for everyone.
- Have a good attitude and a positive mindset about the changes you are making.
- Be your own cheerleader!!
- Be proud of your journey and reward yourself for your efforts.
- Remember that it is ok…and even good for you…to make unhealthy choices from time to time.
- MAKE YOUR HEALHTY LIVING CHANGES ENJOYABLE!! If you enjoy it, you will stick with it.