How to Start Eating Healthy - Contributed by Eduardo Bridges

Contributed by Eduardo Bridges

Healthy eating: we all think about doing it, just not now. Realistically speaking, no one goes from eating fried chicken and tacos one day to broccoli and carrots the following day. Diet is very difficult to change, especially when most of us are addicted to eating certain types of foods. But don’t worry; healthy eating begins gradually. First, you have to make a mental commitment to start eating more healthy foods. Don’t start a crash diet, and don’t suddenly give up your favorite junk food either. The goal is to sustain healthy eating as a long-term habit. With that in mind, here are several suggestions that will help you eat better and avoid diseases:

Replace Chocolate with Dark Chocolate

Most of us love chocolate and eat a chocolate at least once a week. Unfortunately, chocolate is packed with sugar, which is really bad for health overall. If you are a choco lover you cannot live without its addictive sweetness, here’s a solution: eat dark chocolate. Let’s be realistic; you probably won’t be able to give up your chocolate habit overnight. So the next best solution is to make chocolate less unhealthy. Chocolate itself is not unhealthy. It’s the sugar and corn syrup in chocolaty snacks that ruin your health. Dark chocolate contains more cocoa and less sugar, and is thus a better option.

Buy a Smoothie Blender

Do you find yourself hydrating with soda? Soda contains more sugar than you think, so you should try to avoid drinking sodas daily. A healthier alternative is a tall glass of smoothie. You can make fruit smoothies, veggie smoothies, or a combination of the two. Smoothies are packed with vitamins and minerals that are not present in everyday junk food. If making smoothing is easy, you will find yourself depending less on soda drinks. So, go buy yourself a good smoothie maker. You don’t have to spend a lot on a product like Magic Bullet that is easy to use and also clean.

Replace a Junk Food Snack with a Healthy Alternative

Can’t stop munching on Doritos? Next time you watch a movie, munch on a healthy snack like baby carrots or pumpkin seeds. People rarely taste the food when they are eating in front of the TV. So, try this tactic to give your body healthier nutrients and fewer excessive calories.

Eat Out at Healthy Restaurants

Eating out at a good restaurant is one of the most enjoyable experiences in life. Next time you decide to go out for dinner, pick a restaurant that promotes healthy meals, and avoid the local junk food joint. You may have to spend a tad bit more, but your body will thank you for it later.

Include a Veggie with Every Meal

If you are not used to eating vegetables or are averse to it in any way, learn to have your veggies gradually. Include a single vegetable with every meal to get used to the idea. You don’t even have to eat much. If you keep up with this habit, you will be able to include more veggies and less sugary and fatty foods in meals.

Keep in mind that healthy eating doesn’t happen overnight. Train yourself with the above suggestions and you will be able to consume higher quality ingredients that do not contribute to devastating conditions like chronic heart disease.

Pictured at the top: Roasted Sweet Potato Pancakes