Easy Healthy Eating Habits For The New Year

When the new year rolls around, so do a ton of New Year’s resolutions. Lose weight, cut out junk food, do a juice cleanse. Sound familiar? Instead of starting yet another fad diet, why not try incorporating easy healthy eating habits into your lifestyle? Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to suck. In fact, it can be simple and even enjoyable. Don’t believe us? Keep scrolling. 

What Diets Should You Avoid?

Going into 2022, it’s important not to be lured into the false promise of fad diets. While they offer “super-fast weight loss!” and the ability to “burn stubborn fat!” most of them are super restrictive. And some of them are downright dangerous for your health. Here are the diets you should avoid at all costs going into 2022.

Master Cleanse

This extremely restrictive all-liquid fast involves drinking a lemonade-like beverage with cayenne pepper and maple syrup for 10 to 40 days. Yes, that’s it – no food. As I’m sure you’ve assumed, there are a lot of health risks associated with this highly restrictive diet.

You won’t get adequate nutrition since you’re not eating – anything. Along with that, you’ll get a ton of horrible side effects like headaches, dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea. Um, no, thank you.

Ketogenic Diet

You’ve likely heard of the keto diet, AKA, the one where food intake is 5% carbs, 20% protein, and a whopping 75% fat! While you might lose weight initially due to ketosis, keto can be dangerous for your health long term.

It can cause nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, brain fog, headaches, and stomach problems. People also report experiencing a “keto flu” while following the keto diet. Like the regular flu, the symptoms are tiredness, nausea, and dizziness.

Whole30 Diet

Meat, seafood, and poultry make up the bulk of the whole30 diet, with food groups like legumes being kicked to the curb. Cutting out whole grains and legumes while increasing meat consumption may cause digestive issues like constipation and bloating. Plus, it increases your risk of food sensitivities when you reintroduce food groups post-diet.

Easy Healthy Eating Habits For 2022

Ditch the fad diets and focus on these healthy eating habits instead.

​​1. Drink Plenty of Water

Let’s start with a simple one. And yes, I know you’ve heard this over and over, but make sure you drink enough water!

Drinking water boosts skin health, supports digestion, and aids in weight loss. And if that isn’t reason enough to drink more water, it also plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Try to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day, plus a little more if you’ve been training. P.S, this motivational drink bottle may become your BFF.

2. Stock Up On Spices

Adding spices to your meals not only adds rich flavor, but you’ll also get a boost of antioxidants for your health. Spices can completely enhance your food and take a mediocre meal to the next level. 

Try a sprinkle of cinnamon on your oatmeal, a dash of basil over your pasta, and a pinch of parsley in your soup! Experimenting with spices will open up a world of fresh recipes and have you cooking healthy dishes like a Michelin star chef! And don’t worry about not having enough space to store your spices. This wall-mounted spice rack will allow you to show off your spice collection without compromising your space.

3. Don’t Count Calories

Calorie counting is time-consuming, stressful, and it takes the enjoyment out of mealtime. And eating, after all, should be enjoyable. 

Rather than counting calories, focus on the nutritional value of your food instead. It helps you include fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals to your plate while also focusing on your easy healthy eating habits. It’s a win-win. 

4. Don’t Skip Breakfast

We all know that breakfast should be the biggest meal of the day as it is the most important. And it makes sense. Our body needs the energy and nutrition to take on a busy workday and fuel us for our morning exercise!

Eating a daily breakfast can help boost your metabolism, increase your energy level, and improve concentration. Focus on eating good foods that will help keep you satisfied till lunchtime. Think whole-grain bread or cereals with nut milk (preferably low in added sugar) and an adequate serving of fruits and vegetables.

5. Meal Prep

Cooking in batches and meal prepping is a saving grace for those nights where you’re tempted to throw in the towel and order burgers. You’re less likely to choose takeout when you have healthy food ready to go. 

Meal prepping helps you manage your portion sizes, making it a great go-to habit for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Make healthy recipes in bulk like soup, curry, and pasta. Then freeze individual portions in these microwave and oven-safe containers, ready for use at any time!

6. Don’t Give Up On Your Fave Foods

Just because you’ve incorporated easy healthy eating habits into your lifestyle, it doesn’t mean you should give up on your favorite foods. It’s all about balance! After all, how boring would it be if you ate salad for dinner every night of the week?

Having the freedom to eat a variety of tasty foods reduces the stress and frustration of having to avoid junk food. A simple way to go about this is to eat good, whole foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, and grains 80% of the time. And the rest of the 20% should be reserved for more processed “unhealthy” treats you enjoy. I. E, fast food, and the sugar-filled ice cream and salt-laden snacks we all love. 

7. Keep Your Kitchen Clean And Organized With “Kitchen Zones”

If you can’t see your kitchen bench beneath all that clutter, you’re more likely to throw in the towel and order takeout. And while that’s fine once in a while, we don’t want it to become a nightly thing. The solution? Kitchen zones!

Kitchen zones make organizing your kitchen space more manageable. Plus, it makes cooking so much easier and more enjoyable. Here’s the breakdown:

• Cleaning Zone
• Food Zone
• Non-Food Zone
• Food Prep Zone
• Cooking Zone

Look at your kitchen and establish your “zones.” Once you’ve done that, all you need to do is place the corresponding items in their respective zones. I.e., cleaning products in the cleaning zone. Pots and pans in the cooking zone, and so on. Trust us; it will seriously improve your cooking flow! 

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