It is hard to believe that this year is almost at an end. One thing I love about the fast-approaching new year is the opportunity it provides for a fresh start. After a holiday season full of rich foods and eating to excess (well, for me at least), it is wonderful to be able to have a clear date on which to kick start healthy habits. It is not always easy though, especially if your taste buds have got used to the extra butter, cream, or chocolate you have been eating over the past few weeks. So here are my top 5 tips for transitioning back into healthy eating, and a green ginger smoothie recipe to get you started.
Tip #1 – Remove temptation
The first thing you need to do is remove temptation. For some people that means putting unhealthy foods at the back of the cupboard. Out of sight, out of mind. For others, it means throwing them out. As much as I hate to waste food, sometimes it is preferable to throw it out than to suffer the health consequences of eating excess sugar or unhealthy fats.
Tip #2 – Stock up on healthy food
Stock up on lots of your favorite fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. Wash and prepare them, and store them in plain sight – in a fruit bowl, on the kitchen counter, or in the front of the fridge. If healthy food is ready to eat and visible, you are more likely to grab it when the munchies hit.
Tip #3 – Eat mindfully
Really pay attention to how different foods make you feel when you eat them. It can be hard to kick the cravings for sweets or junk food. To help make the transition, try to notice how you feel after eating unhealthy foods. Compare that to how you feel after eating fresh fruit, vegetables, or other healthier options. Noticing how much better you feel after eating healthy food will help keep you on the right track.
Tip #4 – Exercise
Often, after exercising, we feel more like eating healthy foods. The general feeling of well-being that comes from exercising can spill over into our eating habits. So try to include some exercise in your daily regime.
Tip #5 – Swap added for natural sugars
If you are struggling to cut down on your sugar intake after the holidays, try eating natural sugars from fruits in place of added sugars from cookies and candy. This green ginger smoothie is an excellent way to do that.
- 1 medium banana
- ½ cup pineapple
- 1 date, pit removed
- 1 stalk of celery (~ ¼ cup), chopped
- 1 cup loosely packed spinach leaves
- ½ medium avocado
- ½ inch piece fresh ginger
- Juice of ½ lime
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup plain kefir or milk of choice
- ½ cup water
- Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Enjoy.
Did you know you can change the course of your health just by eating the right food? I am here to show you how you can eat simple healthy food without stress, guilt, or shame.
Rosalind reinolds says
December 29, 2016 at 12:47 pmI’m starting my journey back to healthy eating and this sounds like a great way to kick start it! Thank you for the tips!
Ashley says
January 5, 2017 at 12:40 amI so agree with #1…well I agree with all, but #1 is the hardest for me. If it’s in the house, I will eat it.
Jennette Brought says
May 19, 2017 at 10:49 amThank you for these yummy recipes. I’m recovering from a hip replacement..and have to lose weight. I like your advice and can’t wait to try some recipes. There’s so many sites out there but there’s something about yours I really like. Wish me luck! PS I had the bana a pancakes today! Yummy and filling!
estherjane13 says
May 19, 2017 at 11:05 amHi Jennette. Thank you for your kind comment. I wish you a very speedy recovery. And if you have any recipe or weight loss questions please feel free to contact me via the contact page or email. Esther x