Want to eat “healthier” this year? (read this first)

If any of your New Year resolutions include “eat healthier”, or, something along the lines of “give up sugar…FOREVER”, then please read on.

You see, I know (really well) that the New Year can bring with it the pressures to start “fresh” with a new diet on January 1^st, or to eat “perfectly” with no slip-ups. And while any changes you make to eat healthily and take care of your body are positive steps in the right direction, I know that this rigid way of thinking often stems from the guilt and shame of overindulging through the holidays or even leading up to them.

And I know YOU know this too because, like me, you’ve also been down this path before. You know the drill: fight tooth and nail to stick to an overly restrictive diet for the first few weeks of January then gradually slip back into old eating habits when the New Year excitement has worn off, or you realize that your new way of eating is no longer sustainable.

Believe me, when I say, you can have great health and make progress with your body goals without struggling or relying solely on willpower to get you through. It’s entirely possible to eat well and nourish your body while at the same time, also enjoying indulgent foods, because the two aren’t mutually exclusive, regardless of what some people believe.

I’m not saying it doesn’t take discipline to change long-ingrained habits, particularly in the beginning, but if the desire is strong enough it’s more than doable for you, and in fact, only gets easier with time.

See, I can say this with full conviction because just a few short days ago I was eating up ALL of the holiday goodies. And no, not the “healthified”, gluten-free, sugar-free versions either. I’m talking about your traditional flour, sugar, butter-laden baked goods. And let me tell you, I enjoyed every last bite without even a shred of guilt (and definitely without throwing in the towel and having the pendulum swing full tilt to the other side).

Why? Because I know these are special foods that I look forward to and enjoy once a year in the context of celebrating the holidays with my loved ones. I also know that it’s only temporary and that after a period of enjoying these richer foods, my body naturally gravitates back towards lightness and starts to crave more water-containing vegetables and soups.

Also, I firmly believe that there are times when we may have to be steadfast and stick to a more disciplined way of eating (for whatever reason), and then there’s a time to loosen the reigns and celebrate life.

Many years ago though, it would have been a different story. I would have struggled. I would have been excessive, and there would have been guilt. My thinking would have been, “If I’m going to eat the shortbread cookies in the morning then what’s the point of eating salad for lunch? I’ll resume with the “healthy eating” after the holidays when I don’t have any temptations around me”. I know. Warped, right?

So here we stand, at the start of a New Year that holds so much potential.

If you’re looking to change your eating habits, improve your health, lose weight, or just “eat healthier” here are some simple and straightforward tips that don’t involve a drastic (or torturous) overhaul in your diet.

#1. Stock up on ALL of the Good Stuff (Avoid Triggers). Fill your fridge with an abundance of fresh produce and stock the pantry with whole-food ingredients that support your health goals and make you feel good after you eat them (read: not bloated or left feeling like you want to curl up and snooze under your desk for the rest of the day). Assume that if it’s in your house you will eat it. Rather than relying on willpower to resist temptation don’t bring these offender foods into your space in the first place. Offender foods might be foods that don’t support your health goals, or, ones that trigger you to binge or overeat. Triggers foods aren’t necessarily “bad foods”, they may even be ones that are generally regarded as healthy by many people (i.e. cereal, energy bars, trail mix, peanut butter). Only you know your triggers.

Looking for a little grocery inspiration? Here’s a picture of one of my recent food shopping hauls.

#2. Eat Veggie-Centric. I’m not into diet dogma or subscribing to food labels. I honestly don’t think it matters which type of diet you follow whether it be a Paleo-approach, vegetarian, or something else, as long as it makes you feel good, is sustainable, and supports your health goals. I do suggest, however, eating at least 50% veggies at each meal. Of course, it’s not an exact science; at one meal you might eat less, and then at the following meal much more. The point is to make vegetables the star-performers in your diet, with other foods taking on a supporting role.

#3. Give up the Snack! If you’ve been grazing on goodies throughout the holidays or just eating heavier in general, this is a great practice for optimizing digestion and getting back in touch with your true hunger. This step requires a little more discipline at first, but if you’re someone who suffers from any type of food addiction, or is just constantly fixating on your diet, this is one of the best eating habits to free up some mental space that is otherwise preoccupied with food and eating. I wrote a whole post on my case for not snacking here that’s worth checking out. Of course, having a conscious snack if you’re truly hungry is a whole new ballgame than mindlessly snacking out of boredom, or to fill some other void.

#4. Be Realistic, or, 80/20 for the long haul, baby! If you’re wondering where ice cream and chocolate croissants fit into the equation then the 80/20 principle is a great rule of thumb to live by. Aiming to make healthy choices at least 80% of the time can alleviate the pressure to be perfect 100% of the time, and allows room for special occasions (like the holidays). Keep in mind: Progress not perfection. Over time you may even find that a 90/10 ratio floats your boat more!

Wishing you a healthy and abundant New Year!

Much love,

Elaine