How Can I Eat Healthier?

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Once you learn what healthy eating looks like and which foods are more nutritious and health-promoting, getting these habits off the ground can be another story. There are many reasons why. In fact, according to a national Cleveland Clinic survey, the most common barrier to eating healthy among Americans is the belief that healthy food is more expensive (46%), prepare healthy meals takes too much time (23%) and a lack of healthy cooking skills (20%). Luckily, it is possible to overcome these obstacles.

Here are some tip on make healthy eating become a permanent habit and to answer the burning question “how can I eat healthier?”

1. Have a backup plan (and another backup plan) - If your goal is to cook at home more, but you suddenly realize you have no time to grocery shop and it's almost 6pm on a weeknight, the only other option you might have is to order in. Not that ordering in is bad, but having a backup plan like frozen veggies and turkey burgers that you can heat up in minutes will help you feel like you’re still on track.

2. Keep it simple and accessible - don't overwhelm yourself with too many goals or to-do-lists.. Start with 1-2 small goals and then increase it from there once those goals are achieved. Also make sure the goals you do make yourself are available to you. For example, a goal of taking more cycling classes when the closest spin studio is 45 minutes away doesn’t make sense. Further, if you want to eat healthier, making sure you have a fridge, pantry or desk full of healthy meal/snack options will make the process more successful.

3. Find a solid support system or accountability  - working with a Registered Dietitian is one way to have support and accountability. But if you need more than that, consider hiring a personal trainer, joining FB groups, sharing your journey with close friends or family members or downloading apps that keep you in a positive headspace.

4. Give yourself time. -  The saying that it takes 21 days to create a new habit is a myth. Researchers actually find that it can take more like 66 days (or up to 3 months) to make changes and then up to a year for that behavior to become a solid habit. If it’s only been 3 weeks and you’re still struggling, you’re not doing anything wrong - this is very normal.

5. Accept that sometimes making positive behavior changes can come with negative side effects.  - it's weird to think about but sometimes healthy behavior changes can make you feel worse before you feel better. For example, exercising more might increase muscle soreness and limit your time socializing. However, overtime, once you get used to it, the soreness goes away, your energy levels increase and your mood becomes more stable so when you are able to socialize and do other things you can enjoy it that much more.

If you keep asking the same question over and over, “how can I eat healthier?” and not getting any answers, that could be because you need to shift your focus on your specific daily habits and behaviors.

Need more 1:1 support and guidance? Reach out and chat with an RD today!