Follow these tips to eat healthy in the new year
It’s the time of year when everyone decides to buckle down and get rid of those unwanted pounds. This is why the most common New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight. There is this idea that the New Year brings the potential for a new you, that if you can harness the power of that change, you might be able to use it to support the changes you are looking to make in your life. Unfortunately, that New Year, New You mojo rarely makes it to the end of January and most people who try to lose weight by making a resolution fail.
However, this doesn’t mean now isn’t the right time to try and change how and what you eat. In fact, now is as good a time as any and if the New Year gives you the push that gets to going, you are already harnessing that positive energy and it is already making a difference in your life. The key is to turn all that positive energy into real, lasting changes. This is, of course, the hard part. To help you turn your New Year’s resolution into a lifestyle change, here are some tips that will help you fill your plate with healthy options as you choose a healthy diet.
1. Pick Whole Grains
Whole grains provide a wealth of health benefits and have been shown to lower the risk of certain diseases like diabetes and heart disease. These foods, which include brown rice, whole wheat bread and pasta, and quinoa, are low in fat and packed with nutrition. Whole grains are a good source of good carbs which provide your body with sustainable energy. They are also full of fiber and can help lower cholesterol. The USDA recommends that at last half of your daily intake of grains consists of whole grains.
2. Choose Leafy Greens
Leafy green vegetables like kale, swiss chard, spinach, and broccoli are a welcome addition to any meal. These foods are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals and can help you feel full without eating as much food. Fill up your plate with these delicious and nutritious veggies and you will make great gains in your battle to change your life.
Right now in Arizona, we’re in the height of our leafy greens farming especially in Yuma, Arizona. So, you’ll most likely purchase your leafy greens at the grocery story from Yuma, the lettuce bowl capitol of the nation during the winter months!
3. Fill the Day with Fruits and Veggies
With a little planning on your part, you can find fun, creative delicious ways to fill your whole day with the goodness of fruits and vegetables. At breakfast, turn fruit and heart healthy yogurt into a smoothie. Stock your fridge with bite size veggies and healthy salad dressing options to swap out for less healthy snacks like chips. Instead of having salad on the side, make salad the main course at dinner and help everyone get a serving or two of veggies. These salads offer great options for filling, healthy meals.
- Apple Pear Salad
- Avocado and Tomato Salad
- Country Garden Salad
- Green Salad
- The Farmer’s Favorite Salad
Check out our delicious vegetable recipes on Fill Your Plate, serving up healthy options for cooking in season produce.
4. Eat Breakfast
There is a reason people call this the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast gets your metabolism going and gives you energy to kick-start your day. Just make sure you are choosing breakfast foods that support your health. Unfortunately, donuts, pastries, and other sweet treats aren’t on that list. Start with a smoothie, a bowl of oatmeal with fruit, or an omelette packed with veggies to get your day off to the right start.
Related articles
- 6 Tips for Starting Your New Year’s Weight Loss Resolution Off Right (fillyourplate.org)
- Eat Right and Help Stop Diabetes in its Tracks (fillyourplate.org)
- Filling Your Plate With Healthy Foods May Actually Save You Money (fillyourplate.org)