Introduction

New Year’s resolutions are always a great time to take stock of your eating habits and commit to making some improvements. If you’re trying to lose weight, do better with your diabetes management, or just feel better overall, implementing healthy changes can be difficult at first and require hard work to maintain long-term. But it doesn’t have to be that way! You can create a sustainable healthy eating habit without feeling like you’re on a diet or cutting out foods entirely. Here are some steps you can take to make healthy eating second nature

Change your mindset

A habit doesn’t have to be something you do all day every day. Instead, think of it as something you want to happen on any given day and that can change depending on your goals. A healthy eating habit could be thinking twice before grabbing a soda at lunch or bringing along an apple instead of chips when you head out for dinner. Forming good habits is just one way to become more fit—and who doesn’t want that?

See yourself as an eater, not a dieter

Instead of labeling yourself a dieter, which can often lead to negative body image and an unhealthy relationship with food, remind yourself that you are an eater. Using positive language when thinking about eating will help shift your mindset. Instead of asking what you can’t eat anymore, turn it around by asking what you want to add more of in your life. Start paying attention to how good fruit and vegetables taste instead of counting calories or obsessing over nutrition labels.

Make it easy on yourself

Learn how to cook and make healthy meals. Getting into a routine can help you make healthier food choices, especially if you’re preparing meals at home instead of dining out. It takes time and effort, but once you’ve got healthy eating habits in place, they will become second nature. Plus, it may save you money in the long run—studies have shown that people spend less on groceries when they cook more frequently at home.

Take advantage of your environment

When we want something, we’re more likely to find a way to get it. If you don’t like vegetables, make eating vegetables convenient for yourself—choose vegetables for takeout or grab them from nearby when you’re at a restaurant. The healthier your surroundings are, the easier it will be for you to stick with your healthy habits.

Prepare your snacks ahead of time

You’ll be less likely to deviate from your healthy eating habits if you have snacks that are already prepared and ready to go in your refrigerator. It takes effort and commitment, but eventually it will become routine. This way, when hunger pangs strike—and they will at some point—you won’t be tempted by junk food just sitting around.

Don’t be surprised if you slip up; start again tomorrow

We’re all human, and we all make mistakes. Try not to beat yourself up over eating too much or not sticking to your weight-loss plan. Remember, it’s just one day (or even one meal) in your life. You can do it! Just start again tomorrow and you’ll be back on track before you know it.