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Lisa our resident fine living expert answers your questions each Thursday.
If you are a blogger, this is a great chance to have us feature and link to your blog!
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What are some tips for transitioning into healthier eating?
~Kenya, Washington, DC
Food habits are one of the toughest to break. Maybe it’s the years spent developing tastes for breads, sugars, sweets and fats. Maybe, it’s just because those foods taste so good. Whatever the reason, food choices are not only about taste, but many food habits are steeped in culture and tradition. The good news is that you can make a change.
Here some tips for transitioning into healthier eating.
Make Small Changes for Big Impact
Sometimes it’s all about the small stuff. You know the saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff?”, I say do! Making small changes can have a big impact on your health and life. Opt for water during meals instead of sodas and sugary drinks disguised as juice. Skip refined breads and sides and opt for whole grain foods like barley, spelt and oatmeal instead. When it comes to condiments, skip traditional faves likes ketchup and mayo and replace them with freshly made salsa and nonfat Greek yogurt instead.
For salad dressings, try making your own with an acidic liquid, oil and herbs. The basic recipe is one part acid to two parts oil. For the acid you can use flavors, like citrus, pineapple, balsamic and even wine. Customize your dressing by use different herbs and seasonings.
Plan it Out
Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. As great of an entertainer that Beyonce is, I am certain that she would not think of going into a major performance without planning and rehearsing first. So what is your plan? If you don’t know what it is then you don’t have one. Stock your refrigerator and pantry with healthy foods that you can grab on the go. Plan your meals ahead of time.
Guard your Home
When it comes to food, I don’t have tons of will power. As a result, I try to make good decisions about the types of foods I bring into our home. I don’t stand a chance against rocky road ice cream (actually any ice cream), cookies, chips, cakes, candy…you see where I am going with this? Even Superman has a weakness. So know what your weaknesses are and guard yourself against them. Are you a crunchy and salty snacks kind of gal? Hummus and carrot sticks may be a good alternative for you.
Do you dig salty and sweet combos? Snacks like these chocolate and peanut butter apples may be be a good alternative.
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Apples
Just don’t pick up a value size of chocolate peanut butter candies from the store because then, you will be asking for trouble. In addition, live by the 80:20 rule. Eating whole healthy foods eighty percent of the time is a good goal to strive for. Consistent deprivation can lead to binges and cycles of unhealthy eating. Occasional treats are usually fine. Above all, consult your doctor or physician when starting any new healthy eating or exercise regimen. They should be an integral part of your health care team.
Come back on Thursday for another edition of “Ask The Domestic Life Stylist”.
You can also tweet a question to Dlifestylist on Twitter or email me at ask{at}thedomesticlifestylist{dot}com. I will select one question to answer every Thursday.
If you are a blogger, this is a great chance to have us feature and link to your blog.
Lisa is passionate about fine living and living life at home with finesse and style. Follow her blog at The Domestic Life Stylist or Facebook page for lifestyle and travel tips as well as original recipes.
Wendi S says
Thankfully her advice was to sweat the small stuff and after a bowl of ice cream nearly every night for 7 years I am doing the no sugar added ice cream and planning to go down in calories from there. It is so hard though.
melissa kucinski says
good advice. its good not to bring junk food in the house its too easy to eat. i like to have easy healthier snacks like yogurt or granola bars
Rachel Rich-Shea says
Some really good ideas! Planning is super helpful for me. And like you said, also not bringing in the tempting stuff. It’s all over for me when I bring sweets in the house. No such thing as stopping at one, or two, or three cookies for me!
samantha wagner says
I like these tips, but I think I would have quite a hard time getting everyone on board in my house 🙂
Tracey says
great advice! thanks!
Krystal says
I think planning is the most important thing for me when I try to eat healthy. If I don’t plan ahead, I usually just grab something quick and easy, and not as healthy. Thanks for the tips.
Lisa- The Domestic Life Stylist says
No arguments there. Depending on your schedule, weekends may be a great time to plan for the week ahead.
Tanya says
Great tips. I really like the one about not bringing them into the house in the first place. You have to have your whole family on board though which is tough.
Lisa-The Domestic Life Stylist says
Yes, getting the whole family on board is key!