Get into your healthy eating groove

Over the years I’ve found eating healthy to become second nature.  But it sure wasn’t always that way!

Nope. Nope.  Nope.  Nope.

There was always a lot of planning involved.  I’d need a recipes to follow and would worry about what I’d be eating outside of the house.

Luckily, those days are in the past.  Eating healthy isn’t a worry, it’s just the norm and natural to me (click to read more about my diet and what it means to me).

If you’re struggling to get into your healthy eating groove, try out a couple of these tips.  They’ve helped me along the way and I hope they help you too!

Keep it simple

When I begin to overthink something it becomes somewhat of a challenging and stressful situation.  Begin with just a few simple to make recipes a week.  Once you have mastered those, add a couple more.

Overtime you’ll have a full line of great, healthy new recipes!

Simples recipes to try…

Grilled Italian Chicken Skewers

Pineapple Meatballs (crockpot)

Salmon, Leek and Red Potato Frittata

Asian-Style Hamburger Subs

Savory Balanced Bowl: Sweet Potato, Collards, Black Beans and Egg

Mini Lentil Loaf Bites

Baby steps

During the transition to eating healthier it may be easier to choose just one focus for each week. 

Week 1 – switch to whole grain breads

Week 2 – include a fruit at most meals

Week 3 – add vegetables to most meals

Week 4 – include a small dose of healthy fats (nuts, seeds, flax, avocado, fish, olive/canola oil, etc) at each meal. Try to replace other fats with these.

Week 5 – vary your protein to include both lean animal proteins (if you eat them) + fish and veggies sources (beans, tofu, whole grains).

Week 6 – try new whole grains – kasha, quinoa, brown and wild rice, millet, spelt… the list goes one.

Week 7 – prep your breakfast, lunch and snacks the night before – left overs make easy lunches!

Week 8 – reduce processed foods!  By now you should be eating a lot more veggies, whole grains, healthy fats and different sources of protein.  It’s time to transition away from frozen, pre-made meals into healthy, homemade natural foods.

If you add on in small increments it won’t seem like your changes happen all of a sudden.  They will naturally become your new norm and easier to maintain.

Involve others

Changing eating habits can definitely be a challenge.  If you have kids, a spouse or anyone living with you, they will likely be effected by your changes as well.

Involve them in the kitchen and share what you’re learning about new foods.  Encourage them to help you with your weekly meal planning.  They will probably take interest and hopefully improve on their own eating habits as well!

Try non-recipes

What I mean by non-recipe is eating simple foods.  You don’t always need something complicated.  If you fill a plate with corn on the cob, grilled veggies, watermelon and grilled chicken, you’ve got a nice rounded out meal that likely didn’t involve a long recipe.

Just a bunch of simples foods put together!

I love meals like that.  They keep food easy and super delicious too.

Another favorite of mine is a whole grain hoagie or hotdog bun (homemade if I have time!), avocado, spinach, tomato and sliced grilled flank steak.  Add some fruit and/or sliced cucumber on the side and I’m a happy camper.

What are some of your tips to make healthy eating a bit easier and natural for you?  I’d love to hear!

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Leave a comment below or email me at gethealthywithheather@comcast.net to connect, ask any questions or share your thoughts.