Feeding and Diet

So, you have decided to follow a healthy eating plan. You have determined which eating plan is right for you and replaced junk food and processed food with nutritious meals. The only problem now is that you face difficulty incorporating your healthy eating plan into your daily lifestyle on a regular basis. You may feel intimidated or even discouraged at first, but with some instruction and lifestyle modifications, you can stick to nutritious eating for the long haul.

Modify Lifestyle Habits

1. Set up a healthy eating environment. Take time out of your schedule to eat a nutritious meal without disturbances. Get friends and family together at meal times. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly without rushing. Individuals who consume meals in front of the television or while surfing the internet tend to overeat. Turn off your phone, which could lead you to mindless eating.

2. Incorporate your healthy eating plan into your social activities. Food tends to play a large role when socializing, but you don't have to sacrifice healthy food just to hang out with friends. Bring healthy food to gatherings and plan activities that feature healthy food. Instead of throwing a barbecue that features meat high in saturated fat and slathered with processed sauces, grill seafood and vegetables instead. Host healthy potlucks featuring homemade guacamole, baked salmon, whole-wheat pasta salad and homemade vegetable soups, for example.

3. Surround yourself with friends and family who are also following a healthy eating plan. It is difficult to incorporate your healthy eating plan into your lifestyle when the people around you engage in junk food love affairs. If you do not have friends and family that eat healthily, join a local group in your area. The internet is saturated with groups that focus on helping you meet other people in your area who also want to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle.

4. Engage in activities where food is not the primary focus. People use food as a way to celebrate, fend off boredom, soothe an aching heart and socialize. When your lifestyle revolves around food, it is harder to stick to your healthy eating plan. Go hiking on the weekends instead of grabbing margaritas and a high-calorie lunch with the girls. Pick up a hobby like painting, biking or crafts. Try gardening and grow some of your own nutritious vegetables and herbs.

5. Make cooking a part of your daily life. The best way to control the ingredients in your food and stick to your healthy eating plan is to prepare your own meals. Try to avoid slaving over the stove alone. Take cooking classes with a friend or your significant other so that you can make cooking fun and engaging. Set up stimulating ways to think about healthy cooking. For example, you can challenge your friends to create 200-calorie snacks. Then have a tasting of all snacks and have everyone vote on which one is best.

Tip

- Make small, but consistent changes in your lifestyle. You are less likely to remain on a healthy eating plan if you try to make too many changes at once. Gradually make incremental changes in your daily life for the best chance at long-term success.