How many of us made the resolution to be healthier this year? Snaps to those who are still going hard at it, but many of us might be starting to lose steam. Because (let’s be honest here) with school already starting to stress us out, who needs the extra headache of planning out every meal or figuring out when to squeeze in an extra thirty minutes at the gym?
Rather than forcing ourselves into new routines, we should put more emphasis on developing long-lasting, healthy eating habits. There is a difference between eating healthy and dieting—namely, healthy eating is a gradual lifestyle change that promotes better nutrition and smarter choices, rather than shaming ourselves for deviating from a diet plan. Think about it: if you aren’t happy doing something, why would you keep doing it?
So, how do we do start (and keep) eating healthier? As in anything, the basics are the most important, and it’s all about knowing yourself. So we have outlined here a few things to consider when taking your first steps towards more nutritious eating habits.
1) What do you like to eat?
Don’t force yourself to stop eating the things you like. There are often healthier options for every type of food, and if not, moderation is key. For instance, instead of a bacon cheeseburger, bacon-lovers can get a salad that has bacon bits and shredded cheese in it. If you like potatoes, don’t order fries; get the baked potato (easy on the butter!). In the case of a sweet tooth, you can have some fruit as a dessert instead of cake, and just maybe you can sneak in some melted chocolate chips for dipping.
The moral: There is no point in not eating what you like—it just makes you want to eat it more. By allowing yourself to eat the things you like (in moderation, of course), you are saving yourself from the inevitable midnight binge. And this way, you don’t feel shame and guilt for eating, say, a single cookie.
2) When do you eat?
Most of us eat three meals a day, and we often snack in between them, as well. In an effort to eat less, many people skip meals. Skipping meals leads to craving snacks, which usually ends up making you eat more unhealthy things more often. It’s also important to realize that skipping meals (and snacks) deprives your body of nutrients and energy. Don’t skip meals in the name of losing weight; rather, eat just enough. And when you snack, be smart about it. Grab half a sandwich or maybe some carrot sticks—mini meals are infinitely better than candy bars and cookies.
The moral: Eating less is not necessarily healthier; the key is not to over-eat. Eat what you need, when you need it. It’s okay to snack between meals, but make good choices. If you snack healthily, you can introduce more nutrients into your body and also keep up your energy.
3) What makes you eat?
Are you a stress eater or a mindless snacker? When that bag of chips is within arms’ reach, it is just so easy to finish that whole thing without even realizing we were eating it in the first place. It’s important to realize that often we enable ourselves unconsciously. If you don’t keep food next to your desk or the couch, you reduce the likelihood of accidental snacking. And if you eat your feelings, grab a friend to share with. This way, you can vent to someone about what’s stressing or upsetting you, and they can eat the other half of the carton of ice cream.
The moral: Don’t set yourself up. Remove the convenience of snacking, and you’ll stop suddenly finding your hand in an empty bag of chips and crumbs all over the place without knowing how they got there. And it’s healthier, for your body and for your mind, to have a friend around when you’re down.
Good luck, collegiettes, and happy, healthy eating!