As the new year draws closer, many of us are already turning our minds to resolutions. We want to make positive changes in our lives that help us to be healthier and happier. But why wait until January to put these into place? Sure, the festive season may be approaching and we may indulge in a few unhealthy habits. But it’s better to lead a healthy lifestyle the majority of the time with a few slip ups here and there than to lead a downright unhealthy lifestyle for the next couple of months. One area that many of us end up focusing on is diet. We all need to eat a healthy, balanced diet to provide our bodies with the fuel they need to thrive. But where should you start with this venture? Here are a few suggestions that can help on this journey:

Consider Your Goals:

First, ask yourself why you’re setting yourself this goal. Have you noticed that your diet lacks certain elements and you want to fill those gaps? Have you been feeling run down or out of energy? Are you experiencing obesity and want to return to a healthier weight? The goal of your challenge will alter how you approach it. If you feel that you are experiencing health problems as a direct cause of your diet, consult your doctor before getting started. They may be able to make recommendations, such as target daily calorie counts or carry out tests that could find that the issue isn’t your diet at all. For example, if you’re drained and tired, you may be experiencing a B12 deficiency because your body can’t absorb B12 naturally. You might find that bloatedness is due to lactose intolerance and you need to cut dairy out. Alternatively, they may be able to recommend specialist treatment for obesity such as bariatric professionals.

Five a Day:

A good place to start is ensuring that you get your five a day. There’s a good reason that five portions of fruit and vegetables are recommended. Many of us fail to achieve this, but we need a variety of fruit and vegetables to give our bodies the vitamins and nutrients it requires. Make sure your portions are as varied as possible. Your plates and snacks should be colorful.

Cut Out Junk:

Way too many of us eat way too much junk food. Ideally, you should avoid junk food on a regular basis. These types of food – fast food, takeaways, junk snacks – are often packed with excess sugar and salt. They also tend to have high levels of saturated fat. Try meal planning and meal prepping to get yourself into a better habit of eating freshly prepared foods at home.

Stay Hydrated:

Of course, you need to stay hydrated too. Make sure to drink roughly eight glasses of water a day. You should also try to eat plenty of water rich foods, such as melons, berries, cucumber, and celery

Eating well is a habit that you will need to form, so stick with it over time and you’ll quickly find you’re doing it without even having to focus on it!

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