A Beginner's Guide to Eating Well (and Sticking to it)

 

Making changes to our usual eating & lifestyle habits can sometimes seem like a big effort to make at the very first thought. The chance is, you might just need a little guidance, support, daily practice and a gradual change in perspective. Remember, it’s a process!

Many of us have the tendency to overcomplicate our needs in our minds as we cannot help but to compare ourselves & lives to others and strive for “perfection” and how our lives might appear online. Be patient with yourself, everyone’s wellness journey looks different to one another and good habits take time to adopt.

Luckily, eating healthy is a lot more simple than you might think.

Here are some ways I’ve learned to make the most of the eating experience in a more fun, realistic and plentiful way:

  1. Maketimefor your meals (this includes prepping, cooking, and eating)

Step 1: The Preparation

A common complaint with regards to eating healthy is the ”work” that is involved in doing so. Cooking most of your meals can seem like a daunting task at first, but in order to better manage your meals and save time within the week, thinking ahead can truly be a helpful (and gratifying!) practice — your body & wallet will thank you!

Try dedicating a small portion of your day, week or weekend planning to meal prepping. This can look like ...

  • Doing inventory of the fridge and pantry;

  • Making a menu for the week or for the day(s) ahead;

  • Going to the grocery store;

  • Organizing the fridge;

  • Cutting vegetables;


…whatever it is to optimize the likelihood of eating a balanced nutritious meal!

Step 2: The Cooking

Navigating the Internet can be an overwhelming place to explore…What to cook, and where to start? My simple rule of thumb: choose recipes using what you want to eat or that you may already have in your fridge/pantry.

Need help finding a good recipe on the Internet? Try typing in…

 [ two- three key word ingredients ]  + (optional) [ type of recipe ] + (optional) [ name of person/website ]

While the amount of foodie websites might be a tad excessive, here are a few of my go-to’s to help narrow your search:


For budget-friendly recipes:

For vegan/vegetarian recipes: 

Some delicious date night type recipes:

Step 3: The Dining Experience

Eating should be the least stressful part of our day. Do your best to enjoy it and learn to be present and in the moment. I know, I know…a busy schedules can make it a lot tougher than it looks!

Here a few of my favourite tricks to eating more slowly and to help prolong the eating experience:

  • Eat with someone;

  • Watch a 20 minute episode;

  • Pay attention to what you’re eating (ex: thinking about the recipe, the taste and textures, etc.);

  • Chew more slowly;

2. Always look to create simple balanced meals

Whether it is a making a home-cooked meal, buying a meal at the bought or splurging on takeout, eating a balanced meal can look like… 

  • Sandwiches;

  • Stir fries, stews & curries;

  • Salad-type meals;

  • Poke bowls;

  • Vegetarian meals;

Optimize for the possibility of eating a balanced meal by completing the dish! This can look like…

  • Making/Ordering a salad;

  • Adding raw vegetables on the side;

  • Incorporating roasted vegetables;

  • Ordering a vegetable soup;

  • Choosing a fresh fruit as a dessert

3. Keep it simple

Lastly, don’t overcomplicate it! Here a few things to remember to keep in mind…

1) It doesn’t have to look aesthetically pleasing every single time!

While it is satisfying to have balanced ‘gram worthy meals every day, some days are busier than others. And sometimes, the motivation for something new isn’t always there — stick to what you know and slightly tweak if necessary!

2) Improvise ingredients if you don’t have everything in your fridge/pantry

Trying out recipes can feel like a drag when you don’t always have the correct ingredients on hand. Get creative by knowing the nutritious & delicious swaps.

Some quick examples…

  • Mayo → Greek yogurt

  • Potato → Sweet potato

  • White rice → Quinoa, brown rice, couscous, millet or bulgur

Note: For more info on simple vegan swaps, be sure to click here.

Kickstart the year the right way!

 
Laura NguyenComment