Hello Everybody!
It's no lie that this is the time of year when healthy eating usually goes out the window. Last year I tried Terry's Chocolate Orange for the first time and grew an unhealthy addiction to them (don't we all, though?) Thankfully they stopped selling them after New Year, so I had no choice but to stop eating them.
My eating habits have changed a lot this year and I definitely give a lot of thought into what I'm eating. I also became some-what of a gym-bunny which has given me a whole new appreciation of my body, so eating right makes all the difference. Yeah, I'm that annoying healthy friend now...
Here are some of my habits and hacks for you that really work:
Here are some of my habits and hacks for you that really work:
Drink a cup of green tea after dinner
This is something that has become a habit for me and it's almost a comfort thing to help me relax before bed. Green tea has great antioxidants, it boosts your metabolism, and it can even strengthen tooth enamel! If you don't like the flavor, then why not try one with added fruit? My favorite has strawberry in it!
Always have a glass of water or drink bottle with you. Always
This is such a great habit to get in to. Since I work from home most of the time I always keep a large glass of water at my desk with me and I refill it throughout the day. Life is always easier when you're hydrated!
Eat dark chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth
It's guaranteed that every night after dinner I feel like chocolate. Every night. And since dark chocolate is actually good for you in smaller doses, it's a win-win! Make sure you go for a 70-80% cocoa one, and don't worry about the bitter taste, you get used to it quickly. Now normal chocolate is too sweet for me! But I still eat it anyway...
Find cafes with healthier options
If you're anything like me, your weekend will not be complete without venturing to a coffee shop. If you're trying to cut a few tempting cakes out of your diet, try find cafes that offer gluten-free and paleo options. Eating cleaner foods really does make a difference and you feel so much better. Seriously, don't knock raw chocolate cheesecake until you have tried it! Do some research and give it a go.
Make sure you have 5 or more serves of fruit and veg a day
This is by far one of the easiest ways to make you eat healthier. Stick to the fruit and veg you love and incorporate them into your diet as much as you can. Smoothies are great for getting a few more serves in everyday, just be careful of how much fruit you eat since they can have a tonne of natural sugar in them! Just a few extras here and there will make a difference.
Note: If you put spinach in your smoothie you get all the nutrients without even tasting it! Less carbs, more protein
Don't get me wrong, I ain't afraid of no bread or pizza (you'll never take those away from me!) But when it comes to my everyday meals, I find it healthier to replace my carbs with protein to keep me full. For example, I have a protein smoothie after the gym, a tuna pita bread sandwich for lunch, some kind of beans or grains with dinner, and Greek yogurt with fruit as a dessert. Then pizza on weekends, of course!
All the Super-foods!
Yes, I am one of these weird people who puts maca powder and LSA into my smoothies. But super-foods are great! Add some blueberries to your breakfast or have quinoa with your lunch to get crazy energy. When you eat the right stuff your body will thank you.
The thing about healthy eating is that it only takes a little while for cravings to go away. The less I've eaten sugar and junky foods, the less I crave it! I wouldn't ever recommend going cold turkey, but making gradual and healthier choices really does make a difference.
I hope this helps!
Steph x.
aw these are great tips! Im not to fond on green tea, I like to drink fruit teas instead.
ReplyDeleteAmy x
amysthoughtsblog.blogspot.com
Thank you! I'm glad it helped. Yeah, it took me a while to get used to the taste of green tea. I add honey sometimes to make it sweeter. What Flavors do you like?
ReplyDeleteSteph x.