I have found a few tips for eating healthy that are great for keeping you focused and on track with a healthier eating habit!


1. Pack snacks.  If you are leaving the house, even for a few hours, pack a couple of snacking options; sweet; salty; chewy; crunchy.  It doesn't have to be extravagant. try, apples, celery and almond butter, dried fruit, raw granola, kale chips!


2. Do not stock junk foods.  You know it is terrible for your body!  Why serve it to other family members?  This one really gets me!  I see moms SO often refuse to eat chips or drink sodas yet the'll readily give it to their 7 year old!


If an adult in your family HAS to have it, have them leave it in their office desk at work, in their car or somewhere else. Let them know how important it is to you to not have this kind of "food" around the house, especially in the beginning of dietary changes!  If your child "has" to have it; remind them they do not have to have it and no longer keep it in your house.  Find healthier options.  


Many times the reason children (and many adults) do not like healthy foods is because we try to give it to them once or twice, they refuse it because there is something else available they would rather have and then we do not try to serve it to them again.  If a child or adult does not like the taste of something, do not force it.  If they have honestly tried it and disliked it, they do not have to finish it, of course!  But, the key is to introduce it again and again; up to 10 times!  (not in a row, but over time!)  They will most likely begin to like it.  As long as it is not forced upon them.  Be kind-spirited, light-hearted and smile about it all; they'll come around!


3.  When it comes to tips on eating healthy and if you have children, and this is more for your sanity and time management than anything else, but pack a snack basket!  I got this idea from my brother-in-law, genius that he is!  I spend countless hours preparing snack foods for my daughter; In the kitchen, washing, cutting, cleaning up, etc.


So what I now do is, each morning I prepare a basket with small portions of snack foods she may eat at any time when the basket is out (after breakfast until 1 hour before lunch and then again after lunch until 1 hour before dinner).  This is my schedule.  You should try something that would work for you!  This morning's basket contents are: Apple slices, mango, almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, carrots and celery.  


The rule is she can have anything in there until the next meal.  I am no longer chained to the kitchen! Whoo-hoo!  And she LOOVES the snack basket!  The choice is hers and it is all ready to go in small bowls.


4.  Wash all greens and have them ready to go when you need them!  Want to make a smoothie but the thought of washing all those fruits and veggies keep you from making it?  I buy my groceries and wash/ store most of the items for later use.  I usually do not wash berries until right before I use them, though.  Greens I keep in an airtight container, washed and ready to go with a dry paper towel in there with them. This helps absorb the moisture or something! I am not sure why, but it helps keep the greens fresh. :) You can also have the contents for one smoothie all in a giant ziplok bag or other container.  When it is time to eat something, throw it all in the blender and add water.


5.  Do not shop hungry.  (I know you probably know that but do you always follow through with this one? )  Something that may help?  Keep some nuts or dried fruit in your car.  Before going into the store, eat something! Or just drink some water before shopping!  


I hope you found these tips for eating healthy helpful!  I plan on posting more soon.

In peace and good health,
Kirsten