Healthy Habits: Better Eating Resolutions
Get More Fruits and Veggies
Try to add one more of each to every meal. Store cut-up raw veggies in the front of the fridge and fruit on the counter where you'll see it. Keep healthy dips on hand, like hummus, peanut butter, and low-fat yogurt. Load extras into your sandwiches, pizzas, salads, soups, and omelets. Pureed options like butternut squash can thicken soup and add nutrients. Mix cauliflower puree in with mashed potatoes for a healthy boost.
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Cut Down on Fast Food
Try to reduce fast-food temptations. Take a different route so you don't have to pass drive-through places. Keep fruit or nuts with you to tide you over until you get home or to work. If you have to hit up a restaurant, choose lower-calorie items like grilled chicken. Look for fruit or veggie options like a salad (watch the dressing) or a plain baked potato as a side. Order regular or small sizes, and avoid value meals. Sip water or diet soda instead of sugary soda.
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Choose Better Snacks
Work in one more healthy snack a day. Trade cookies or chips for a small handful of nuts or trail mix, or low-fat yogurt. Find fresh fruit in season. Oranges are good because they take time to peel and eat. Try pretzels or a few whole-wheat crackers with low-fat cheese. Only snack when you're really hungry -- not just bored or stressed. Keep it to one serving.
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Eat at Home More Often
Plan every day so restaurants aren’t your only option. Use a slow cooker so you have a hot, healthy meal ready and waiting when you get home at night. Cook more than you need, and freeze half. You'll have meals you can take out and heat up when you need them. Try an easy-to-fix healthy breakfast -- like oatmeal with fruit -- for lunch or dinner.
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Avoid Mindless Eating
Don’t chow down unless you’re hungry. Stop when you feel satisfied -- but before you feel full. It’s OK to leave food on your plate. Don’t sit in front of the TV or computer when you eat. When you multitask you’re more likely to overeat. Stay in the moment. When you tune in to your appetite signals, you won’t eat just because you're bored.
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Snack Less at Work
Get unhealthy snacks out of your office -- or at least out of plain sight. You'll eat less if you don't have food within easy reach. If you tend to graze at work, don't keep food at your desk. Make sure it’s at least 6 feet away from where you sit. That will give you time to think before you grab a bite. Take time for a real lunch break, away from your desk.
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Eat Smart at Restaurants
It’s all in the planning. Order off the children's menu or ask for smaller portion sizes. Don't get so hungry that you overeat when you get there. Munch a healthy snack before you go. Start with a clear (not creamy) soup or a salad. Divide your meal in half and take the uneaten part home. Or split an entrée with a friend. Tell the waiter not to bring bread or tortilla chips to your table.
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Cut Down on Sugar
Give up one sugary soda a day. That cuts out about 8 teaspoons of sugar. Choose water or unsweetened tea instead. Choose fresh fruit or fruit canned in water or juice, not syrup. Opt for unsweetened cereals.
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Eat Breakfast Every Day
If you're too rushed to sit down and eat, take something with you. Portable breakfast items include granola or breakfast bars, yogurt, instant oatmeal, or pieces of fresh fruit. Muffins, bagels, and other baked goods are often larger than a single serving -- so keep an eye on portion size. If you don't like traditional morning eats, choose something to fuel your body.
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Plan to Eat Right
Don't give up because you're out of time. Create a healthy-eating plan for days when you work late or have errands to run. Keep nutritious snacks with you, like trail mix, whole grain cereal, or fruit. Store healthy foods in your freezer. Learn which restaurants and supermarket delis have salad, soup, or grilled chicken so if you have to get something "to go," you can choose wisely.
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Eat Smart at Parties
Have a healthy snack before you go. That way you won't hit the buffet too hard. When you get there, fill a small plate with at least half fruit and veggies. Opt for just a bite or two of desserts and high-calorie dishes. When you’re finished, step away from the food. If you stay and chat around the buffet, you might be tempted to graze. Drinks can be high in calories, too. So whether it’s alcohol or soda, use moderation.
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Keep Track of What You Eat
A food journal can help you pay attention to what you eat and how you feel. You may be surprised by your habits. You can write it out by hand or download an app for your phone or tablet. You don't have to track meals every day. Just do it one day a week or for a few days. That’ll give you an idea of what and how you eat.
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Learn to Say "No"
Stay strong. The waiter might say that you can't have sauce on the side. You can. Your coworker might pressure you to try her homemade treats. Say no. Every bite adds up, so don’t give in. Explain why you're saying no if you want to -- or just politely decline. You don't owe people an explanation. You do owe yourself good health.
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Stop Overeating
Trade your large plates and silverware for small ones. You’ll eat less on a 10-inch than a 12-inch plate. Use a tablespoon, not a serving spoon, to dish out portions. Think about what you put on your plate to make sure you really want it. Serve from the stove instead of the table, so second helpings aren't right in front of you. Eat slowly so your body has time to tell your brain you're full.
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Get Support
It'seasier to be strong when you have folks on your side. Ask a buddy or family member to eat healthy with you. Hold each other accountable. Don't try to go healthy while your family eats what they want. If you’re all in it together and one of you is tempted to slip, the rest will be there for support. Or go high tech and download an app or find a website to keep you on track.
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Set Yourself Up for Success
Aim for one small, specific healthy eating goal at a time. Reward yourself when you meet it. Don't try to make too many changes at once. Post reminders where you can see them every day. Choose something that won’t derail your hard work, like healthy food, gourmet herbal tea, or a massage.
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Sources Medically Reviewed on 8/22/2018 Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on August 22, 2018
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REFERENCES:
Harvard School of Public Health: "The Nutrition Source: Vegetables and Fruits."
Harvard Medical School, HealthBeat: "Controlling what -- and how much -- we eat."
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publications: "Why eating slowly may help you feel full faster."
Sarah B. Krieger MPH, RD, LD/N, registered dietitian/nutritionist; spokesperson, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
American Dietetic Association: "20 Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Vegetables," "Healthy Eating on the Run," "Smart Snacking for Adults and Teens," "Eating Right for a Healthy Weight," "Eating Out," "Power Up with Breakfast," "What Are Some Healthy Ways to Eat During the Holidays?," "Portioning Your Holiday Treats," "How to Stick to a New Resolution."
New York State Department of Health: "Eat Less Fast Food."
Medline Plus: "Eating out."
Nemours Foundation: "When Snack Attacks Strike."
Go Ask Alice, Columbia University: "How do I tell when I'm no longer hungry?"
Mindless Eating: "Desktop Dining," "Meal Stuffing."
New Mexico Department of Health: "Soda Count Down."
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service: "Eating Less Sugar."
U.S. Department of Agriculture: "Carbonated beverage, cola, contains caffeine (1)"
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: "Breakfast."
CDC: "Improving Your Eating Habits."
Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on August 22, 2018
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
