5 Tips for Transitioning Back Into Healthy Eating

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.

5.0 from 2 reviews

Green Ginger Smoothie

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

This green ginger smoothie is full of antioxidants and healthy omega-3 fats making it a wonderfully healthy snack

Author: Esther Schultz

Recipe type: Smoothie

Serves: 3

Ingredients

• 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

Instructions

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Enjoy.

3.5.3226