There are plenty of ways to make your diet healthier that are simple and require no deprivation! Often people think going on a diet means eating celery sticks all day and eating lettuce with no dressing. But by focusing on including healthy foods in your diet, you’ll naturally crave less of the bad stuff, lose weight, and feel much better. Try these seven ways to make your diet healthier.
Drinking water before and during a meal is one of the simplest ways to make your diet healthier. Often we mistake hunger for thirst, so drinking water before a meal can definitely curb your appetite and keep you from overeating. During your meal, it’s also important to drink water between bites to slow yourself down. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to realize your stomach is full. Slowing down between bites for a sip of water is an easy way to control your caloric intake and consume fewer calories overall.
Adding a ripe piece of fruit to your breakfast is another simple way to make your diet healthier. Instead of grabbing a bowl of cereal and milk or some toast, simply add a banana or a handful of berries to your meal. Fruit is loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Adding fruit to your breakfast on a regular basis can improve heart health, reduce your cancer risk, and facilitate digestion.
Use your sandwich at lunch as an opportunity to work more veggies and fiber into your diet. Instead of plain turkey and mayo on white bread, spread hummus on some whole grain bread to avoid saturated fat. Add low-sodium turkey and as many different veggies as you can into your sandwich before adding another slice of bread. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your veggie choices either. Foods like grated carrots, cucumbers, and even kimchi can all be delicious!
Are you guilty of hitting the vending machine for a late afternoon snack most days of the week? Skip this bad habit and instead pack yourself a small snack that will keep hunger at bay until dinner. Raw nuts and seeds are a great option when your blood sugar is low and you’re feeling some late afternoon fatigue. Nuts like walnuts, almonds, or cashews are rich in healthy fat. Seeds like pumpkin and sunflower are also very mineral rich.
When a craving strikes, there’s almost nothing better than a cup of herbal tea. Often cravings aren’t because we’re actually hungry, but rather because we’re bored, upset, or feeling something else other than hunger. If you’re a nighttime nosher, herbal teas are a great calorie-free choice as opposed to whatever sweet or salty snack you want to indulge in.
Adding a salad before dinner is a great habit to get into. Eating raw foods like veggies before dinner helps coat the stomach with fiber and enzymes that aid in digestion. Instead of a store-bought salad dressing that’s loaded with preservatives and artificial ingredients, try a splash of olive oil and some apple cider or balsamic vinegar. Eating a large salad like this will definitely help you eat less when it’s time for your main course.
If you can’t resist that super creamy mac and cheese or chicken pot pie but still want to eat healthy, not to worry! Cutting back on your portions of these foods will definitely save you calories and make your diet much healthier. You don’t even need to cut your portions down by half. Start with 1/3 and see how you feel in the next few days. Cutting portions is an excellent strategy when you want to make your diet healthier but still want to eat a lot of the same foods.
Making your diet healthier isn’t rocket science! All it takes are a few simple tweaks and changes to get the energy and weight loss you want. What are some of your simple tricks for making your diet healthier?