With the holidays upon us, there’s going to be lots of “cheat days” ahead. By January, everyone is going to try and stick to their resolutions of working out regularly and starting their diets. This isn’t a bad thing, I fully encourage it!
But today, instead of writing about the things we’re going to start taking away from ourselves, I wanted to write about the 7 things to add to your diet for a more healthy and balanced life. I also added some quick tip to help you on this quest!
An extra serving of vegetables to every meal
I can feel you cringing, but perhaps this doesn’t have to be as bad as it sounds! Throw some kale or spinach into that smoothie, or put together a variety of vegetables in your salad. No matter what diet you’re on or how much weight you want to lose, we all know that vegetables are good for you.
Tip: Head to your local farmer’s market and see what’s in season to enjoy the very best vegetables!
A healthy snack
It’s a few hours after lunch and you want to take a break and a snack. Instead of reaching for some chips or something you’ll regret later, aim for a protein-based snack such as avocados, tuna and crackers, or something with peanut butter. Healthy doesn’t have to mean yucky!
Tip: Prep your healthy snacks for the week and mix it up so you get excited to eat them!
A glass of water the next time you feel hungry
Sometimes, we don’t drink enough water that we feel hungry instead of thirsty. The next time you feel hungry, opt for a glass of water instead. This will increase the amount of water you drink every day and will also curb your hunger.
Tip: Bring a refillable water bottle with you wherever you go so you can keep track of how much water you’ve been drinking!
Add proteins back that have been removed from processed food
Collagen is the vital, basic building block of our skin, hair, nails, bones and joints, but modern food processing has practically removed this natural, healthy protein from our diets. I take a spoonful of Vital Proteins every day for bone and joint health, anti-aging benefits and a healthy immune, digestive and central nervous system.
Tip: Add a spoonful of Vital Proteins to your morning coffee or tea, or your favorite smoothie recipe and start seeing the amazing effects!
Good carbs, good fiber
“Good carbs” refers to complex carbohydrates. This includes foods like whole grains, nuts, beans, and seeds that require lots of time and energy to convert into fuel for your body. Foods that are good carbs are also rich in fiber which protects you from heart disease, cancer, and digestive problems. Here are some ways you can add good carbs and good fiber to your diet:
- Eat whole grain cereal for breakfast
- Forget an apple a day and eat two apples instead
- Have some yogurt with flaxseed when you get sick of the whole grain cereal
- Eat raw carrots and broccoli as an afternoon snack
- Choose whole wheat crackers instead of your typical crackers
- Add kidney beans or chick peas to your salads
- Choose brown rice or pasta instead of white rice or pasta
Tip: Keep this list and the next one with you when you to grocery shopping, it’s easy to forget what’s good for you!
Superfoods that will make your feel super good
Imagine foods that are powerful enough to help lower your cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, and even put you in a better mood. We all need a little more of that in our lives! So stock up on the following:
- Beans
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Oats
- Oranges
- Spinach
- Tea (green or black)
- Tomatoes
- Walnuts
- Yogurt
Tip: New research has shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure. Look for chocolate with 60% or higher cocoa content; the darker, the better!
An hour or two of meal prep
Yes, this is such a trend right now but it should definitely be a norm. By planning your meals out in advance, you will save time and eat healthier. You’ll avoid those times when there was nothing to eat so you ended up having a horribly unhealthy meal instead!
Tip: Get some meal containers to put your healthy meals in and alternate recipes and mix it up every week to avoid getting bored!
There you go! Here are 7 things to add to your diet and also 7 quick tips to start incorporating it into your daily life. It may not be easy at first, but forming habits never is!
This post is sponsored by Vital Proteins, all opinions are my own. Thank you so much to my amazing sponsors who continue to support my blog and help me to provide valuable content to my audience!
