5 Ways to Work Healthy Eating Into Your Life

I used to confuse healthy eating with dieting. I wasted decades trying one crazy diet after another (each more ludicrous than the next) and second-guessing every morsel that passed my lips.

A trip to Canyon Ranch helped me reevaluate how I thought about food. Since that visit, I’ve shifted my focus from dieting to eating healthily, and it’s infinitely more satisfying.

With some creativity (and the help of my favorite nutrition experts), I’ve actually made eating well second nature. Here’s how.

Come prepared. It’s obvious: If you want to start eating healthily, you’ve got to surround yourself with healthy food, especially when you’re on the go. By toting your own filling snacks, it’s easy to resist the junk that’s so omnipresent. In my bag, I stash Ziploc baggies of low-sugar cereal, an apple or individual packets of plain UltraMeal protein powder (I mix it with water.). When I’m traveling in Europe, I pack my Wasa Crisp Breads, since it’s nearly impossible to find a tasty, fiber-rich cracker there.

Be specific. In life, you have to ask for what you want. When ordering at restaurants, I find it helps to use as many adjectives as possible. For example, I ask for “dry toast” or “steamed spinach.” And, I customize: I request that my oatmeal is made with water instead of cream and that my Starbucks Green Tea Soy Latte comes without melon syrup. Don’t be shy.

Avoid instant. Good food always takes a little extra effort. Though I can buy a pre-made, high-calorie, sugar-laden smoothie from the deli down the street, I prefer making my own low-calorie, low-sugar version using plain yogurt, berries, tons of ice and either agave nectar or a half of a banana (for sweetness). With my super-small Back to Basics Blender, I can make single-serving smoothies even at work.

Eat before you go. Going to an evening event on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster—the alcohol goes straight to your head, increasing your appetite, and decreasing your willpower against fried canap