Tips To Kick Bad Eating Habits

There are instances when we feel guilty of skipping breakfast, munching junk foods as part of our daily diet, or ordering a bad takeout. If only we can change that and start eating right. The truth is we can fix our eating habits and completely remove those old bad habits into the curb.

Here are tips on how to kick-start a healthy diet:

Start Your Day with a Breakfast

Breakfast provides your body with the fuel it needs throughout the day. It helps you stay focused and active. If you’re trying to lose weight, a breakfast is a good solution to help you avoid making those unhealthy decisions based on hunger.

Make sure to include lean protein, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables into your breakfast. An oatmeal with low-fat milk, almonds, and mixed berries, or a quiche with mixed vegetables, low-fat cheese and a slice of whole-wheat toast is a sure fire healthy way to kick-off your day.

Cutting Back on Coffee

Having too much coffee or caffeine, in general, can interfere with your sleep, and that causes you to lose energy later in the day. Caffeine also makes you feel jittery. Switch to non-decaf or tea, drink plenty of water and eat small, frequent meals to keep up the energy. If you can’t avoid coffee, try to limit it by consuming no more than 3 cups per day. Skip the unwanted calories and sugar by drinking it as plain as possible.

Pack Lunch to Work

Some people find this hard to do, but the trick is to stock up the fridge with foods and ingredients for the week. Start preparing the week’s lunches over the weekend and make sure your options include a combination of lean protein and carbohydrates. For example, whole-grain bread with turkey, a cup of mixed vegetables plus a piece of your favorite fruit. You can even pack a salad with chicken, a fruit, and a 100-calorie cup of low-sodium soup.

You don’t have to prepare a full meal. If you lack time to prepare, you can opt for a good snack. Choose a fat-free or low-fat yogurt and fruit, whole-wheat crackers and low-fat cheese, or hummus and baby carrots.

Consume More Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables add color, delicious flavor, vitamins, minerals and fiber to your plate. Of course, a fresh find is always the better option, but if you can’t find one, frozen and canned are good alternatives as well.

Cook Dinner at Home

Making meals at home doesn’t have to take every last bit of your energy. Plan ahead by prepping on the weekend to save time. Choose options you can make in advance. You can cook a batch of soup you can portion out for lunches or dinner during the week, or bake a whole chicken to slice for sandwiches and wraps. Or turn leftovers into something new such as turning your leftover beef into a stew with beans, diced tomatoes, and pre-cut vegetables.