Incorporating healthy eating habits into your lifestyle does not have to feel like a chore or break your bank. Healthy eating should be an enjoyable experience because you are doing something wonderful for your body, your health, and overall well being. Speaking from personal experience, when I fuel my body with the right foods, it puts me in a great mood. I feel energized, and ready to take on the day. I no longer crave or rely on highly processed, sugary foods for fuel or energy to keep me going. I promise you there are just as good, or even better, healthy options in place of your not-so-nutritious favorite foods. That being said, I do not recommend cutting out or restricting yourself from indulging in the foods you love the most. I have learned that moderation is key, as long as I know I am making the best choices for myself and my wellbeing. Below I have listed some of the ways in which I have incorporated healthier eating habits into my lifestyle that are both enjoyable and sustainable.
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Adopt a vegetarian lifestyle
If I could advocate for one thing (besides environmentalism), it would be eating a vegetarian based lifestyle! Personally, it was one of the easiest ways to truly focus on eating whole and natural foods that provided my body with all necessary nutrients. Benefits include, but are not limited to, reduced risk of diabetes, lower cholesterol, and has been known to improve overall mood. I have been vegetarian/vegan going on four years now, and I could not be happier.
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Healthy snacking
“Snacking” is a term often associated with an unhealthy habit that, if you are trying to follow a strict diet or reduce your intake of calories, most people would advise against. However, there is no reason why snacking cannot be a healthy habit. You are in ultimate control of your actions, therefore, all it takes is the right mindset and being conscious of the choices you make. Instead of reaching for that bag of chips during your study break, opt for carrots and hummus or an apple instead.
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Skip the sugary breakfast cereal
As we all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Most students tend to skip this meal altogether because they may not have the time or appetite, but I am the kind of person who likes to start off their day with a nutritious breakfast. My morning meal either consists of an egg-white omelette, a bowl of oatmeal, or peanut butter with banana toast because I know I will feel properly nourished and satisfied. I tend to opt out of eating most breakfast cereals because they are highly processed, packed with sugar, and offer my body no nutritional value. These fast-burning, refined carbs leave me feeling hungry and craving another meal within the next hour.
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Green tea instead of energy drinks
Energy drinks are loaded with sugar and offer absolutely no benefits besides a spike in energy followed by a mid-day crash. Tea may be an unpopular option when it comes to selecting your pick-me-up of choice, but it can provide the same energy without the 40 grams of sugar. Even a cup of coffee (not a venti frappuccino) is a better option than a highly processed energy drink. Green tea is more than just flavored hot water. It is loaded with antioxidants, boosts metabolism, and lowers your risk of developing cancer and other chronic diseases.
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Spinach instead of iceberg
Dark, leafy greens, such as kale or spinach, are a staple in all of my meals. I will try to incorporate this high fiber, vitamin-packed superfood into any salad, wrap, or even my morning protein omelette. Leafy greens are a great source of protein, iron, vitamins and minerals important for skin, bone, and nail health. I recommend combining any meal high in plant iron with vitamin-C-rich foods such as citrus fruits to improve absorption.
Keep in mind these changes probably will not happen overnight. All it takes is consistency, commitment, and a willingness to want to do better for your body. Like I said before, there is nothing wrong with treating yourself every once in a while and it does not mean you’ve failed. These are some of the most effective ways I began to incorporate healthier eating habits into my lifestyle, but there are a multitude of ways to do it; you just need to find what works best for you and stick to it.