It’s a new year, which, for many people, includes New Year’s resolutions. If you are busy with little ones and trying to balance it all, maybe this isn’t realistic for you. Depending on the stage of life you are in, these sorts of resolutions might not be productive. So how can you prioritize your health in a manageable way?
For moms that don’t want the pressure of a full diet, here are 5 ways you can improve your healthy eating habits:
1) Follow the half plate rule.
Each meal, aim to fill half of your plate with fruits and/or vegetables. Maybe it’s easier to get fruit in at breakfast, but you can add veggies at lunch and dinner. However you need to make it happen, this one small change will have significant impacts on your health.
2) A little prep goes a long way.
After you go to the grocery store, take 10 minutes to slice up snacking veggies and fruits. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You will be shocked at how much more likely you are to grab these foods for snacks or to toss into meals when they are all ready to go.
3) Build snacks that count.
Snacking gets a bad reputation, but the truth is snacks can be healthy and are often necessary to avoid a blood sugar drop. The key lies in the types of snacks you eat. Be sure to pair fruits or veggies with a source of protein like cheese, hummus, nuts, or nut butter. This power combination will satisfy you and actually keep you full.
4) Utilize your resources.
There is nothing wrong with choosing pre-chopped produce, salad kits or frozen veggies… I do! This way you are ready to quickly toss together a salad or steam up a bag of frozen broccoli to get something on the plate at dinner time. Utilize these resources for easy ways to meet your ½ plate goal.
5) Vary your protein intake.
Research shows that eating more plant-based protein is a great way to boost your health. Lucky for you, vegetarian protein does not just mean tofu anymore! Seek out beans, lentils, nuts, or seeds in an effort to vary your protein intake. You don’t have to make the switch to 100% vegetarian. Simply aim to eat a few meatless meals each week.
