5 tips to healthier eating habits...

If you’re currently not eating a healthy diet, it can absolutely be difficult to start. However, healthy eating along with some physical activity is very important for maintaining a good bodily function and goes a long way towards living a disease-free life. If you struggle with healthy eating, then you know that breaking unhealthy habits can be the most difficult part of the process. But, it is also not impossible and anyone can do it if they put their mind to it and acknowledge and understand their motivations for a healthier lifestyle.

Here's a few tips to help you get started. 

1. Rid your home of temptations that will distract you from establishing better eating habits. Ideally it would be a wise course to keep junk foods and beverages out of your house so as not be tempted to snack during the day. If you’re worried about getting hungry, keep healthy snacks like veggies (great with a healthy dip like hummus), Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, or whole-wheat crackers on hand. If you find that you just cannot bear to toss out the sweets, try keeping something tiny on hand, peppermints or small hard candies. Eating a few, (emphasis on few) of these won’t ruin your diet but also will give you that little sugary fix if needed.
2. Learn what foods are the healthiest for you and how they work within the body. To start eating healthily we must begin by thinking healthily. Most people understand that fruits, vegetables, and low-fat meats and dairy products are good for you, but few people understand why. The key is learning about nutrients. When you understand how specific nutrients work and why you need them, it becomes more reasonable for you to make healthier choices for your body. Knowledge really is power! This is why I often share nutritional information about various foods in my Create Your True Life Facebook community for some bite-sized education. 
3. ​Be prepared. You must take into consideration your schedule for meals. If you often eat in a rushed hurry at odd times of day, you are probably more inclined to grab a rushed meal which will probably do more harm than good. So plan ahead! Instead of grabbing a fast food lunch on the go, take a bagged lunch to work, complete with a healthy wrap and some fresh fruit and vegetables. Remember not to forget your evening meal, a simple plan to have a meal ready before you get home would be perfect, but in our fast-paced lifestyle, sometimes this just can’t be done. One way to solve this problem is to plan out your evening meals for the week. Perhaps just before you do your weekly shopping.
4. Don't do your grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Do not venture down those grocery aisles with a rumbling tummy or suddenly everything, especially the not-so-good-for-us items, are going to be that much more irresistible. 
5. Start with baby steps. Even if you start with replacing one soda a day with a glass of water, you are really improving your calorie intake. If you eat fast food every day for lunch each day, try starting with bringing a healthier lunch from home a few times a week.

Yes, it can be difficult to make the necessary changes to healthier eating. Along with the difficulty of change, you may not feel well for a short period of time. This is actually normal as your body is adjusting to your new and improved lifestyle and is cleansing itself from the unhealthy toxins built up from poor eating habits over a long period of time. Give it time...it will pass and you will be AMAZED by how much better you feel - inside and out - for the effort! ​

By taking your time to acknowledge and understand your eating habits and learn about the why and how of shifting to healthier habits in an orderly fashion, you will feel much better within yourself physically, mentally and emotionally and well on the road to becoming as healthy as you can be! 

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​It's okay to be real... ​

What are the things that sometimes derail your healthier eating efforts? What tricks or tips do you have to help you rebound?

Please share your response to these questions or any other thoughts you have on this article in the comments. I'd love to hear from you!