Every year, one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to eat healthier. But, these aspirations often fall short come February, when the realities of a busy schedule kick in.
To help you stick with your nutritional goals, we’ve compiled our top tips for eating healthier all year round.
Explore a Plant-Based Diet.
While becoming a vegetarian may not be realistic for everyone, eating a plant-based diet can be both attainable and ultra-nutritious. Try to fill the bulk of your diet with vibrant fruits and vegetables so that you reap all the vitamins, minerals, and fiber that they have to offer.
As a healthy eating challenge, try to eat a vegetarian diet for a day or two out of the week. This approach can help you discover new ways to incorporate fruits and veggies into your daily eating. With the plethora of vegetarian recipes online today, you’re sure to find vegetarian dishes that make you forget all about your favorite meat. Read Up On Mindful Eating.
We’ve all heard about the benefits of mindfulness for your mental health. This practice can also help you reach your healthy eating goals in the New Year.
Mindful eating is an excellent strategy for portion control. It involves using all of your senses to enjoy the complete experience of eating. This can help you eat more slowly and experience more gratitude for food, which tends to discourage overeating.
As an easy way to get started, try putting down your utensil between each bite. Don’t pick it back up until you’ve fully chewed, swallowed, and savored the bite. This is a simple way to slow down your eating and better recognize the sensation of fullness.
Spotlight on Hydration
Staying hydrated is crucial to prevent dehydration. But, it can also help you eat more healthily in the New Year.
Our brains can mix up hunger and thirst, leading to feelings of hunger when what we really need is a big glass of water. You can prevent this by sipping on water regularly, both between and during meals. In fact, you should aim to drink a full glass of water with every meal for hydration, portion control, and even proper digestion.
At The Center for Natural & Integrative Medicine, we can create a personalized dietary plan that puts you on the path to greater health and happiness. Contact us today for an appointment!
