Nourish Your Body: 5 Easy Ways to Eat Better Without Dieting
When you want to start eating healthier, it often feels like you have to go on some type of diet. However, the truth is that many people find it easier to make small, gradual changes and implement them into their everyday lives. That way, even if the changes are healthier than what they were originally doing, they're not drastic enough for them to feel like they're starving themselves all the time.
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Our eating habits are not necessarily healthy, which can lead many to the misconception that eating healthy is difficult or impossible. But following a new diet plan or strategy could provide long-term health benefits such as increased energy, stabilized moods, weight loss, fewer dark circles, and many more.
Don't worry, the healthy eating guide is here for you. No need to feel overwhelmed about it! Healthy eating doesn't have to be difficult; it should be approachable and adapted to your lifestyle. There are no quick fixes. No magic pills, waist trainers, and skinny teas will help in a sustainable way.
There is no one way to achieve health and weight loss goals, as everyone's needs differ. Everyone has to find the changes that work for them, even if it takes some trial and error.
The best way to live healthier is with small changes and not big drastic ones. Try one way to eat better this year, or try them all, but remember that any healthy change is more likely to stick if you're consistent. Plus, dieting is never sustainable.
“Eating healthy is not about strict rules or deprivation; it’s about making conscious choices that support your well-being. ”
What are 5 benefits of eating healthy?
Everyone knows that eating healthy is important, but sometimes it can be hard to know what that means. There are a lot of conflicting messages out there about what is and isn’t healthy, and it can be tough to sort through all of the noise. So, what are the benefits of eating healthy? Here are five benefits that are backed by science and the CDC:
Improved mental clarity and concentration.
When you nourish your body with healthy foods, you're providing it with the essential nutrients it needs to function optimally. This can lead to increased mental clarity and concentration.
Increased energy levels.
Eating healthy foods is one of the most effective ways to boost your energy levels. The nutrients in healthy foods help to support your body's natural processes and keep you feeling energetic all day long.
Improved physical health.
Eating healthy foods helps to protect your body from disease and improve your overall physical health.
Improved emotional health.
Eating healthy foods can help to improve your mood and reduce stress levels.
Improved quality of life.
When you make the decision to eat healthily, you're also making the decision to improve your overall quality of life. Eating healthy allows you to enjoy all the benefits that come with feeling your best!
As you can see, there are a lot of good reasons to make sure that you’re eating healthy foods. So, next time you’re unsure about whether or not something is good for you, remember these five benefits of eating healthy.
Have leafy greens with two meals a day
If you make one change to your diet in 2021, consider eating more leafy greens. From spinach to arugula to watercress to romaine, leafy greens are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Not to mention, they are so easy to sneak into meals. There is certainly no reason why you shouldn’t be eating multiple cups of greens a day. Try adding spinach to your smoothie, putting kale in your pasta dish or sauce, or ordering a side salad when eating out. If all else fails, try these delicious ways to eat more greens. Feel a little overwhelmed by adding so many greens? Don’t fret! Start small or start with a supplement like Athletic Greens or Amazing Grass Green Supergreens. Both powders can be added to smoothies for a nice dose of veggies!
What is Athletic Greens?
The company Athletic Greens has devised a way to make greens more convenient for people who don't like juice or purees. They sell their product as an easy-to-drink powder that you mix together water, probiotics (live bacteria), digestive enzymes & vitamins into - no need to boil vegetables!
The blend of organic and non-organic ingredients in Athletic Greens makes it an ideal option for athletes or people who need quick nutrition on the go. The proprietary blends in Athletic Greens contain some organic ingredients, but it's still your average green juice powder. These supplements' high-quality and low cost makes them perfect for anyone looking to get their required daily dose without breaking the bank!
What is Amazing Grass?
Like Athletic Greens, the all-natural, whole-food dietary supplement powder by Amazing Grass is called Greens Blend. It was formerly known as Green Superfood but has been renamed to match with marketing analysis and redesigns of their label design only, which includes the original formula intact - no other changes in the product whatsoever! This means it still provides you with natural energy from 7 nutritious greens & superfoods, including wheatgrass alongside barley grass, spinach, spirulina etc..
The green superfood by Amazing Grass is an easy and effective way to support immunity, with two servings of fruits & vegetables in each serving! It’s USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free as well vegan friendly. You can take it mixed into water or juice OR add some blendable goodness into your favorite smoothie recipe (many recipes are available on their website).
Bottom line, these two different products are to help support a healthy lifestyle and aid in getting essential nutrients into your diet. These shouldn’t be replacements but rather a booster to your daily meals.
Get healthy food delivered
Some weeks are just so busy that you don’t have time to plan, prepare, or shop for meals, making healthy eating difficult (Ubereats is much more tempting). I love Sakara Life Meal Delivery and Thistle I’m sure you will, too! Both services are amazing to help you eat meals that help you achieve health goals.
On weeks that I’m waiting to change things up or don’t have much time to prep and cook, Sakara is my go-to. They offer so many rotating meals each week that are health-conscious vegan options, making it the easiest way to eat clean consistently. Not only can you select how many meals you’d like from 2-, 3-, or 5-day meals but also whether you just want breakfast, lunch, or dinner. That you’ll look forward to all day. You can read my review on Sakara Meals and if it’s worth it or if you are ready to try them out, enjoy 20% off your first meal program or 10-Day Reset with Sakara Promo Promo Code XOVALERIE.
For those who don’t know, Thistle is the ultimate solution for a healthy and convenient lifestyle! If you're someone who's constantly on the go but still wants to enjoy nutritious and delicious meals, Thistle is tailor-made for you. This meal delivery subscription company specializes in plant-forward breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, jar salads, soups, and cold-pressed juices, all carefully prepared and conveniently delivered to your doorstep.
Whether you reside on the west coast or the east coast, Thistle’s got you covered! By embracing a healthy eating routine, you'll unlock a world of benefits. Nourishing your body with wholesome, nutrient-dense foods can boost your energy levels, support weight management, strengthen your immune system, and promote overall well-being. With Thistle, you don't have to compromise on taste or health. Start making smart choices for your body today with Thistle and enjoy 9 free meals with $100 off over 4 weeks!
Find plant-based alternatives to your favorite foods
Listen, if you don’t like salads, don’t eat salads! If you don’t like kale, don’t eat kale! Forcing yourself into bland meals, foods you don’t enjoy, and boring dishes will lead to binges, excessive cravings, and unsatisfying life. I’m very vocal about my disdain for kale and how it’s the most overrated vegetable on this planet, in my opinion. There are plenty of other veggies I truly enjoy eating over the overly hyped-up green. And that’s okay! Now and then, I’ll add Tuscan kale to a dish, but it’s not one I’m reaching for weekly. Instead of eating foods you don’t like, get creative with healthier versions of your favorite foods.
Try adding more veggies or making simple swaps like mushroom ceviche, cauliflower pizza crust, or red lentil pasta. Plus, you’re here on Wellness Bum, so you’ve plenty of recipe ideas! Check out these healthy alternative recipes for every craving. If you aren’t plant-based, you can find plenty of plant-forward recipes here on WB that include animal proteins such as fish, eggs, and poultry which are pretty darn delicious!
Make your mealtimes sacred
Healthy eating is not just about what you eat; it’s also how. In a world where meals are often on-the-go, and fast food is on every corner, we often forget that food is not just about surviving or even just about enjoying the taste. Mealtime is and should be a reminder to pause, slow down, and enjoy. This is one thing that I love about European culture, especially in Italy, Portugal, France, and Spain. They truly take their time during mealtime.
Consider taking a break from work, turning off the TV, putting your phone away and laptop shut, and making each meal an occasion to relax and be mindful. Whether you enjoy your meals with the people you love or use it as an active act of meditation to take a break from the hustle of your day, every meal should be about slowing down and enjoyment. Plus, research does show that eating while distracted can lead to increased food intake at that meal and the next meal, in part because it affects our memory of what and how much we ate.
Fill the majority of your plate with foods from the earth
Instead of the 80/20 rule or following a plant-only diet, think about eating “plant-forward.” Okay, that title sounds a little granola and excessively extra, but the idea is that you can emphasize and celebrate nutritious foods without being limited to them. Instead of measuring, tracking, or limiting, ensure that most of your plate comes from the earth instead of going through a factory, whether that looks like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or nuts and seeds. You’ll load up on the foods that will make you feel good without restricting yourself from the foods that you enjoy.
Just remember, small changes lead to big results. In your journey to healthier eating, let yourself enjoy foods you love.
You may think that deprivation helps you avoid “bad” foods, but deprivation causes a lack of mentality. By restricting and eliminating certain foods and food groups, you’re more likely to binge on said food when you do eat it. But more importantly, do not truly enjoy your life!
This isn’t just a warm and fuzzy body positivity tip; it’s a physical health hack to help your body feel its best. When we remove “good” and “bad” labels around foods, we can listen to what our body truly wants. We start craving the foods that help us live while mindfully enjoying the foods we never want to live without.
The Final Bite
If you're looking to improve your health without going on a diet, you can do plenty of things. From simple changes like swapping out processed snacks for healthier options to cooking more meals at home, you can make a big difference in your overall health in many small ways. Try some of these tips and see how easy it is to eat healthier without feeling deprived or going on a restrictive diet. If you need a bit of guidance and would like to work with me, schedule your complimentary Discovery Call and find out if wellness coaching is for you.
This article was originally published in January 2021 and updated by our editors in June 2023.
