With 2019 fast approaching, you’re probably coming up with a list of potential New Year’s resolutions. Whether you decide to save more money, go to the gym regularly, or make family time a higher priority, you know that these goals require lots of work and dedication. The same holds true with eating healthier.
Here at Atlas Nutrition, we see clients go about dietary changes differently. Some, for example, break down the idea of eating healthier into smaller, more manageable goals. Other clients might try to revamp their entire diet in one day.
It’s easy to say you’re going to “eat healthier” in 2019. What’s difficult is actually cutting out the unhealthy foods you so often crave. Keep reading for some of the smartest, easiest ways to change your diet for the better.
Slowly reduce your sugar intake
You’re kidding yourself if you think cutting back on sugar is like flipping a switch. Instead, make it a gradual process. Once you start limiting your sugar intake, you’ll realize you don’t need as much of it as you may have previously thought.
Don’t think you can do it because you have such a strong sweet tooth? Consider using something like Truvia Nectar since it has a fraction of the calories of sugar. Feel free to add it to your yogurt, tea, etc.
Hold off on alcohol until the weekend
As a refresher, alcohol adds empty calories to your diet. Plus, if you end up with a hangover the next day, you probably won’t make the best food choices or even think about hitting the gym.
Our advice is to skip out on alcohol during the week and stick to water. Believe it or not, alcohol intake can make or break your dieting goals in 2019.
Practice mindful eating
Have you found yourself rushing through meals or eating more when you’re stressed? Both of these bad habits can hamper your progress in 2019. With that in mind, make it a point to eat more mindfully in 2019.
What do we mean by that exactly? Well, as opposed to scarfing down your lunch at work and barely tasting it, be sure to enjoy every single bite. Mindful eating also goes hand in hand with portion control, weight management, and digestion.
Take meal preparation seriously
You’ve probably had several friends, family members, or coworkers tell you how beneficial it is to meal prep. But you didn’t really take them seriously for whatever reason. Here’s the thing: If you really want to eat healthier in the new year, regular meal preparation is absolutely essential.
Think about it — no longer will you have an excuse to hit up the fast food drive-thru during your lunch hour. Our nutritionists recommend setting aside some time over the weekend to prepare meals for the following week. Not only does meal prep help you eat better, but it allows you to keep more money in your pocket. It really is a win-win!
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Not many of us consume the daily suggested amounts of fruits and veggies. If you’re serious about eating healthier in 2019, try filling half of every plate or bowl with non-starchy veggies. You can also replace chips, crackers, and other salty snacks with crunchy, good-for-you alternatives such as carrots, celery, and broccoli.
In terms of fruit, try eating at least two pieces a day (one with breakfast and one with lunch is probably easiest). Don’t forget that oranges, clementines, pears, apples, and berries are all available year-round. As with vegetables, you can also get away with snacking on fruit, just as long as you don’t overdo it.
Get a nutritionist or personal trainer
You probably won’t be able to do this alone. There will be times when all you want for dinner is a pile of fried chicken wings and an ice cream sundae for dessert. So try finding someone who will join you in your endeavor of eating healthier, whether it’s a friend, spouse, or someone else.
At Atlas Nutrition, we encourage you to invest in a nutritionist or personal trainer before starting your journey. See for yourself how our fitness coach will customize a nutrition/workout plan based on your specific goals.
Contact Atlas Nutrition today.
