My top tip for healthy change

by | Feb 26, 2014 | Digestive health, Nutrition | 6 comments

Getting started on a health kick is often overwhelming, particularly if there are a lot of changes to be made or many habits that you feel need adjusting. However, as with most things in life, simplifying your approach can remove unnecessary stress and help you turn these changes into easily maintained habits.

Here is my number 1 tip on where to start.

Be honest about the quality of your diet and how it makes you feel.

What percentage of your diet is made up of processed and/or packaged foods? Does your diet feature food or drinks that leave you feeling heavy, bloated or a bit ‘off’. Do you eat because you’re hungry? Because you’re bored? Because you’re feeding mid-afternoon sugar cravings? Or, are you eating without being aware of ‘why’?

These are important questions, as they’ll help you nut out what’s driving both your healthy and unhealthy habits.

Also be honest about how much time, money and willingness you are able to invest in making healthy change. You may be time-poor, on a limited budget or simply not interested in forgoing your daily donut (for example). In which case, a complete overhaul is most likely not realistic. BUT that doesn’t mean you can’t make some improvements – because you absolutely can.

image via http://www.pinterest.com

Start by working fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet.
Every day.

This can be as small as fresh fruit / veggie sticks / nuts for a snack, or adding a handful of chopped mixed vegetables to your dinner. If you don’t have time to go shopping, try one of the many fresh fruit and veg home delivery services available in all major cities (these are often very cost-effective, including the services offering organic produce). If you aren’t in the habit of making your meals, choose the freshest pre-prepared foods you are able.

These are simple steps, but over time they will make a significant difference to the quality of food you consume and, subsequently, your health.

There is obviously more – much more! – you can do to improve your health… eating well, drinking water, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, managing stress, quitting nasty habits like smoking, taking herbs or supplements for specific health conditions… I endorse all of these, they will all help.

However, as our old mate Lao Tzu said – a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step – and your health journey is NO different. One step at a time my friends.

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This is part of the ‘Change’ blog hop series I’m taking part in with the Health and Happiness Collective, which you can read more about here.