5 Tips for Changing your Diet

This is the first post in a two-part series!

Have you thought about changing your food habits, but don’t know how? Here are a few tips:

1. Clean out your cupboards, fridge, and freezer.

If you want to get rid of processed food, for example, remove all processed food. Consider giving it away to someone else before throwing it out or compost it if possible. Having something around the house, where you see it often, makes it too easily accessible, and more likely to make an excuse to start another day. I know most of us have been there: “Well, I’ll eat these cookies today and start tomorrow.” Many times I have thought to myself, “Well, I’ll start giving up _________ after it’s gone, and we just won’t buy more.” That hasn’t worked so far! Things end up purchased and the cycle starts over again.

2. Put a positive spin on it.

See changing your diet habits as a challenge to conquer, not something that is a pain in the butt. Sometimes we need a change of thinking to believe we can do something. If you always think to yourself, “I’ll never be able to do this,” or “I hate that I can’t eat _____,” it will never seen enjoyable. See it as a game or as a contest with your cravings.

3. Start little if changing everything at once seems overwhelming.

Sometimes, people just can’t quit things cold turkey, as number one suggests. And that’s fine – not everyone can do something the same way. Start by removing one item from your diet or increasing one item – such as give up soda or eating more vegetables. Don’t walk by that person at the office who always has cookies at her desk. Change a snack of chips to something of similar texture. Sometimes we just want something crunchy but only think of chips. Once you conquer one area, try another.

4. Reward yourself for good diet habits.

We do this with kids, why not with adults? Make a chart, display it somewhere you’ll be reminded often. Decide on a gift and a length of time, and split the cost up. Put some money away each time you eat something healthier.  If you want to eat more vegetables every day, put away $1 every day you eat the amount decided on, and then reward yourself with a massage after a month.

5. Change your family with you.

Change is really hard to do if everyone around you is eating what you want. Sit down and talk with you partner and your kids and explain what you are hoping to change. They might object - a lot – but keep at it. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and people who think it’s worth it. Make sure each person in your family has an item at home that they like to eat – that is healthy – so they have a go-to item when they crave something else.

Habits can be really difficult to change. Think of changing food habits as a new start and remind yourself that changing your food choices can help with a better quality of life!

Watch for the second part of this!