Taking Baby Steps to Improve Your Diet

Baby Steps to a Healthy Diet

Taking Baby Steps to Improve Your Diet

It is true, stopping a high calorie diet and jumping right into a healthy diet isn’t easy.  If you are not ready to make a drastic change over night, it is acceptable. Just take Baby Steps in changing your diet, and over time your baby steps will become big steps and remain a part of your new healthier lifestyle.

Suggestions you may consider:

On the weekend, make a healthy batch of cup cake bran muffins and boil a carton of eggs.  Before leaving for work in the morning, grab an egg and muffin.

Breakfast is ready and you are on the go.

If you work out of your home and find yourself going out for lunch everyday, try  making a healthy lunch and bringing it to work.  This may even allow you time for a 20 minute walk before you eat, adding an extra bonus to saving you time and money J

Suggestions:

Choose a Low Sodium Soup and a Healthy Sandwich – More Veggies than Meats.

Did you know, avocado can be used as a meat replacement on your sandwich? 

Fact:

Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. They also act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.

And, if you use your mash your Avocado into guacamole, you can use this as a sandwich spread instead of mayo. Mustard is also the better choice over mayo any day.

Do not forget to add a piece of fruit. 

If you have vending machine in your office, choose the mixed nuts over the other unhealthy snacks, or make suggestions to your HR representative to see if they can get the vendor to provide healthier snacks.

Eat low-fat yogurt instead of ice cream.  Here’s a tip, upon arriving to work place your yogurt in the freezer…viola a healthier alternative to ice cream J

Snack on raw veggies or nuts during the day if you feel hungry or end up working past your normal lunch hour.  (Raw carrots, celery, cut up bell-peppers assorted in color)

If you choose nuts, no more than what will fit in the palm of your hand….not the whole hand.

Opt to drink healthier beverages – Water – 100% fruit or veggie juice, perhaps even low-fat milk if desired.

Never grocery shop on an empty stomach…..ever heard the expression “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach!” Well, an empty stomach will make things you normally wouldn’t reach for look more desirable to your tummy.

Adding fish (The oilier the fish, the higher in omega 3) at least twice a week to your diet. However, flax seed oil is another alternative.  You can also take supplements if you are not a fish lover.  If you choose to take the supplements, put them in the frig and they will not make you repeat them throughout the day.  I got this tip from Dr. Oz

When your only option is to eat at a fast food restaurant choose the grilled chicken and side salad or fruit if offered.

And, did you know baked chips are better than fried chips – ever try baking thinly sliced sweet potatoes and baking them in the oven…yummy – If it’s the crunch you are seeking, eat some fresh veggies instead.