12 Ways to Create a Healthy Eating Style

12 Ways to Create a Healthy Eating Style

1.      Forget the fads: Diet fads come and go – without offering a permanent solution. When you hear about the latest diet, always ask yourself: Can I eat this way for the rest of my life?

2.      Be realistic: Any eating plan needs to work for your family and your situation. It needs to fit with your schedule, your food budget, and your cooking skills.

3.      Make a commitment: Write down some important reasons for changing your eating habits. Share a written or verbal promise to make healthy food choices with your friends or family.

4.      Start slow: Making drastic changes can be a recipe for failure. Small changes can make a big difference, if they last. Pick one change, like eating breakfast, and make it a habit.

5.      Be consistent: The human body responds well to consistency. If you decide to eat breakfast, make eating breakfast part of your daily routine – rather than an occasional thing.

6.      Stick with it: Research suggests that it takes about 21 days for a behavior to become habit. If you want to start eating breakfast, make a plan with 21 breakfast menus you’d love to eat.

7.      Be flexible: Life is full of surprises, and plans need to change. If an early meeting makes breakfast at home impossible, you need some alternatives, like desk-fast at work.

8.      Be creative: Make a list of all the possibilities – like all the breakfast options that you enjoy: at home; in the car or on the bus; at work; or from a vending machine.

9.      Stock up on options: Once you have a list of possibilities, stock up. Fill your cupboards, car, and desk drawers (anywhere you might eat breakfast) with healthy options.

10.  Plan ahead: When situations pose problems, make a healthy plan. Have a meeting where giant cinnamon rolls are served? Plan to eat ½ a roll; bring cheese and fruit with you.

11.  Forgive yourself: Healthy eating does not have to be perfect eating. If you make a mistake or miss a few days of healthy eating, no biggie. Just get back on track ASAP.

12.  Congratulate yourself: Changing your eating habits can be tough. Just think how long you’ve had your current habits. Give yourself a pat on the back for any healthy changes.

09/02/04