I have successfully been eating healthy…or at least healthier…for three whole weeks now, and, I’ve gotta say, it’s a lot easier than I thought it would be!  It seems like I might actually stick with it.

I thought I would share some of the ways in which I have managed to start eating healthier, just in case you too are so inclined to join me!

1.  Planning ahead.  The problem that I encounter the most is not knowing what to fix for dinner, so I have started to take twenty minutes on Saturday night to plan out the meals I am going to cook for the week.  That way I can add anything I need to my grocery list, plan healthy meals, and not end up stressed out Monday at 5 o’clock when I have no idea what to make for supper!

 2.  Eating more fruits and vegetables.  This is without a doubt the food group that I tend to avoid the most.  It isn’t that I don’t like fruits and vegetables, I just kind of forget about them.  Plus, the ones that I am most likely to eat, such as mangoes or asparagus, can be a little pricey.  Anyways, I have decided to spend a little more money in this department, as it adds color to my dinner plate and gives me lot of vitamins and minerals!

3.  Cutting out the junk food.  This starts in the grocery store.  If I don’t buy oreos, I won’t eat them!  It’s like magic.  Instead of buying processed cookies or fried potato chips, I’ve opted for pretzels, pistachios, and dried fruit.  Believe it or not, I actually like them!  And I don’t miss my oreos one bit.

4.  Trying new things.  I’ve actually had a lot of fun buying some new items in the grocery store.  My husband and I are both hooked on couscous…I think we’ve eaten it three times in the last week!  I also bought some flaxseed and made my own “Clif Bars.”

5.  Eating homemade.  I think one of the best ways for people to eat healthier is to cook your own food!  This isn’t hard for me, as it is also something I love to do.  But, for real, if you cook your own food you are able to see exactly what is in it.  I always make my own chicken broth so I can control the salt content.  In general, processed food is just bad for you.  So much stuff has to get added to processed foods to prolong the shelf life, and a lot of the additives are not good for you.

6.  Reading the label.  Did you know that one pack of Ramen noodles has 70% of your DV of sodium?  70%!?  That is absolutely insane.  I always knew that Ramen noodles had a lot of salt, but this week I actually read the label.  I don’t think I will purchase them ever again…

7.  Drinking more water and milk.  I don’t really like to drink milk unless I am eating cookies, but I have been trying to have a glass of milk with at least one meal a day.  I’ve also been trying to drink more water.

8.  Taking a multivitamin.  For someone like me who doesn’t drink much milk and tends to forget about fruits and vegetables, a multivitamin is probably a wise choice.

9.  Make sure it tastes good.  The reason that I have never been able to eat healthy is that, to me, eating healthy always meant yogurt…and I don’t really like yogurt.  I guarantee that there are healthy foods that you will like.  You don’t have to try couscous or flaxseed or whatever, but you should be aware of what is in your diet.  It might take some time to find some foods that work for you, but I know that they are out there.  If you aren’t eating food that tastes good to you, you won’t stick with it.

So far I really enjoy eating healthy.  My husband will tell you that I am SO proud of my shopping cart when I get to the checkout line at the grocery store.  There is just something satisfying about eating healthy foods.  It makes me feel good!