One of the most important practices to increasing your health and well-being is by eating a healthy diet that allows you to thrive. Although most people know how to maintain a healthy diet, it can be challenging to make the lifestyle change if you’re a picky eater. To enjoy the foods you eat without packing on the pounds, there are a few important tips to follow.
1. Substitute Different Ingredients
Eating healthy doesn’t mean that you need to cut out your favorite foods from your diet. You can continue to enjoy eating French fries, pizza, and baked goods by using healthier ingredients for alternatives that won’t harm your health. Opt for making sweet potato french fries or using whole grain crust on your pizza with plenty of veggie toppings. You can also substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt or make turkey burgers instead of using beef patties. Finding alternatives to unhealthy food items will allow you to enjoy having a variety and avoid feeling limited with your meals or snacks each day.
2. Use Supplements and Vitamins
As a picky eater, it can often be difficult to obtain the amount of nutrients and vitamins that you need throughout the day if you don’t enjoy certain fruits or vegetables. Opt for taking vegan multivitamins to boost your immune system and improve your health. You’ll obtain the same nutrients from 10 servings of fruits and vegetables with vegan multivitamins, along with powerful antioxidants that will reduce the risk of illnesses or diseases. The fiber content in the vitamins will also improve your cholesterol levels for an efficient way of improving your health as you age.
3. Start Small
Many people fail at eating healthy and return to their old habits if they attempt to go cold turkey with their diet. Start small with eating healthy to avoid burning yourself out with new foods that you begin to incorporate into each meal. Allow yourself to enjoy a hamburger, but pair the food item with a salad instead of French fries. You can also transition to carbonated water from sugary soda beverages when you want extra fizz in your drink without going straight to water.
Make it a point to make small changes each week with your diet and set goals to ensure that you don’t feel overwhelmed with the process. You can also allow yourself to have cheat days to reward yourself for taking on a new diet, which will allow yourself to avoid feeling deprived.
4. Experiment
It’s important to experiment with different recipes and ingredients when trying to become a healthier eater. Use plenty of herbs and spices to ensure that the dishes have flavor and are enjoyable to consume. Avoid using canned fruits or vegetables and opt for fresh choices to ensure that you can enjoy fresh options that are more delicious. You can also begin to grow your own herbs or vegetables in a garden, which will allow you to have a greater appreciation for the foods before you begin to incorporate them into your meals.
5. Juice Fruits and Vegetables
Those who are picky with the foods that they eat can juice fruits or vegetables each morning to obtain more nutrients in their diet. Although spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce doesn’t have a lot of flavor, you can add sweet fruits to the juice to make it enjoyable while obtaining more vitamins. Consider adding apples, pineapple, or pears to the mixture to enjoy a fresh option that will give you more energy throughout the day and still tastes good to drink.
Being a picky eater doesn’t mean you can’t get the necessary nutrients needed for a healthy lifestyle. Consider substituting ingredients, using vitamin supplements, and experimenting with different food groups. Start small and implement these changes little by little in order to acclimate your body, and taste buds, to new foods.
Meghan Belnap
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.