When you are starting the journey of healthy eating, it can be difficult to kick some habits that have been ingrained throughout life. Eating healthy is a dramatic change that makes you realize certain unhealthy habits you may have, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up everything you love. 

If you are wanting to eat healthier but aren’t sure how that looks, here are some easy steps to take that don’t come with dramatic lifestyle changes.

Make Your Own Drinks

Water, water, water! One of the easiest steps you can take is to change your drinking habits and increase your water intake. Getting rid of sugary sodas and juices can be a great first step to take in your quest to eat healthily.

While you may be worried that water is boring, and you are looking for some flavor, there are some great infusions you can make that will increase your energy, leave your taste buds happy, and help you to steer away from unhealthier options.

Some flavor infusions to try:

• Cucumber
• Citrus
• Green Tea
• Raspberry
• Blueberry
• Strawberry
• Kiwi
• And more!

You can also make homemade iced tea with your favorite tea flavors, and leave out the sugar. Try all these flavors separately, or mix them as you see fit, your choices are endless when it comes to flavored water infusions made at home. 

Cold infused waters are easy to make, just get a jug and add your favorite flavors, fill with water, and let sit overnight. This is a simple and easy way to increase your water intake, helping you feel and eat better.

Meal Planning and Preparation for Work Lunches and Family Dinners

Countless dollars are wasted (and many extra calories consumed) when you purchase your food every day, especially if you are frequenting fast food establishments. Doing a weekly meal prep can get your lunches set up for the week, allowing you to save money and eat healthier. If you often fall victim to the snack cart, vending machines, and fast food services, then this is a great habit to change.

If you find yourself fading throughout the day, you need to take a look at your eating habits. Choosing a healthy snack over a chocolate bar or bag of chips can have a dramatic impact on how you feel. Without a sugar crash, you will feel more vibrant and energized throughout the day. 

Meal prepping will give you a sense of preparedness for the week ahead. Often stress eating leads back to unhealthy eating habits, and ensuring you are mentally and physically prepared with your food for the day can reduce some of your stress, and steer you away from unhealthy snacks and food at work.

Meal prep also sets you up for success in your home. Make some healthy snacks to have available when you are craving food, have your meals ready to cook when you get home will allow you to rest and relax more, opening up more time for self-care and healthy habits. Overall meal planning and preparation can be a great way to start eating healthy and paired with drinking water this can be an awesome start to your journey.

Start Reaching for Fruits and Vegetables

Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet can change your whole outlook on eating. Instead of reaching for a sugary snack, have a handful of carrots. Craving a burst of flavor, some blueberries and yogurt can hit the spot. Replacing your sugar craving with fruits and vegetables doesn’t have to be boring. From carrots to cucumbers, to oranges, to pomegranates, there is no shortage of products that can have you feeling healthier and happier when added to your diet.

Fruit smoothies can be a filling snack and packed full of flavor, great for breaking a fast. Even if you aren’t the biggest fan of vegetables, you can find convenient ways to sneak them into your diet by doing vegetable smoothies or juice, and incorporating more greens and veggies into your diet through meal planning.

No matter what you do, eating healthy is an attainable goal. You don’t have to go full vegan immediately to start eating healthy, you can take small steps to change your habits, drink more water, and eat hearty and healthy meals. Your body will thank you, and it won’t be long before you see the benefits of following these steps.

Eating healthy is one of the most important steps you can take towards your overall health and wellbeing, what you put in your body is what fuels you, and your body will thank you for making these changes.