Hey there, friends! Today, I want to delve into an often fraught subject: healthy eating. Before you hit the back button – hear me out. I know we all have memories of being told to eat our vegetables or to finish the last bit of salad on our plates. The idea of healthy eating can leave us feeling overwhelmed or picturing plates piled high with only spinach and kale. However, kickstarting a healthy eating habit doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Let’s break it down together.
Starting Small
In fact, one of the secrets to my own healthy eating journey was to start small. Instead of clearing my kitchen of all those guilty pleasures I loved, I made the choice to take baby steps. According to Lindsay Malone, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, making small, positive changes is key to sustainable healthy eating habits (source).
Understanding Your Own Eating Habits
Friends, understanding your own eating habits is such an important part of kickstarting this journey. It’s totally fine to enjoy a cookie now and again, or even daily! The significant part is realizing when you’re eating it – is it out of habit, or are you genuinely hungry? In the early days of my journey, I kept a food diary to track not just what I ate, but when and why (source). This helped me uncover patterns I didn’t even realize were there!
Positive Attitude, Positive Changes
A big lesson I learned was being easy on myself. It’s okay not to be perfect – in fact, it’s expected! According to a study from the University of Exeter, the more compassionate we are with ourselves, the more likely we are to choose healthy foods (source). So, let’s banish the guilt and focus on the positives, shall we?
Outro
The journey to a healthy eating habit isn’t about being perfect or giving up all the foods you love. It’s about understanding your habits, starting small, and being kind to yourself in the process. The path will not be linear, and that’s okay. Remember, the key to any journey is simply taking the first step. So, are you ready to kickstart your healthy eating habit?