One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to eat healthier. Even if it isn't explicitly your resolution, if you resolve to lose weight or exercise more, then eating healthier is part of that.
1. Listen to how you feel
Not every diet is for everyone. For many people, the health benefits of vegetarianism are amazing. But the six months I went vegetarian were the worst six months of my life. I was tired all the time and had crippling stomach pain. Turns out I'm allergic to wheat, and I have a tough time dealing with carbs and dairy in general.
Start listening to your body - and heed what it's telling you.
2. Short-circuit your fast food routine
Fast food is an easy habit to fall into, but every time you go through the drive through, you undo days' worth of good work.
Study your drive through habits and find ways to plan ahead. Do you stop on your way home from work? Leave a snack in your car to eat on the way home. Is fast food part of your weekend errand-running routine? Pack a sandwich to eat on the road.
3. Make it easy for yourself to snack healthy (and hard to snack on junk)
Cram the junk food into the top kitchen cupboard, the one you can't reach without getting out the step stool. Then set healthy snacks out in easy-to-reach places.
Set a large, attractive bowl of fresh fruit on the coffee table. Keep a canister of raw almonds on the kitchen counter. Always have a small box of raisins in your purse or backpack. Stuff your desk drawer with healthy treats (I'm a fan of Larabars) so that you're not tempted by the candy machine during the day.
4. Be strong at the grocery store
Always eat before you go to the store. If you're feeling weak, chew a stick of gum while you're shopping. Plan ahead, make a list, and stick to it. If you can be strong for that half an hour at the store, it will have a huge impact on how you eat the rest of the week.
Image courtesy Flickr/Calvert Cafe & Catering
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