Start with Small Changes

By now you have already been making, or at least been thinking of making some major changes to your eating habits and lifestyle. But remember that these changes should not be forced and should come naturally. So introduce changes at your own pace.

This is important as it is more realistic as well as easier to integrate small changes into your eating habits rather than a full scale turnaround. Start the change by setting a goal to alter just one food choice at a time.

For instance, try a new thing each week.

It can even be something as basic as drinking more water, or having an apple instead of a sugary treat for a snack. Or start by incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet, if you are eating mostly processed foods.

Remember that changing too much, too fast can often get in the way of success. Instead, start to correct excesses or deficiencies in your diet with modest changes that can add up to positive, lifelong eating habits. And it is always easier to weed out processed foods from your diet just one item at a time.

And when you gradually get to the point where you have successfully eliminated unwanted foods, you can then move on to the next step.

To make these transitions easier, keep the following tips in mind:

• Stock your kitchen with healthy whole foods

• Eat until you are 80% full  and slowly chew your food

• Eat when you are actually hungry

Eat less of these foods:

• Red meat and dairy products. Look for organic options.
• White flour products including white bread and white rice. Look for whole grain options.
• Genetically modified foods such as beets, corn, soy and wheat. Eat organic options instead.
• Commercial cereals and sugary sweets.

Are you ready to start your journey to better health? It’s never to late. Start in the kitchen.