It can be difficult to make even a small change in your diet, let alone a series of more complex adjustments that may result in an entirely new way of eating. Still, that's the challenge that many people decide to take up on a daily basis when they start a new diet or attempt to make their current diets healthier. The process is rarely simple or straightforward, but handling it gradually and focusing on individual changes can help.
Step 1
Make slow, gradual adjustments instead of a host of sweeping changes. It's easier for most people to mentally and physically adjust to eating different foods if they first alter only small things about their diets. Big changes can cause cravings, discomfort and distraction, but slowly easing into a new routine is likely to inspire confidence and motivation.
Step 2
Substitute a few of the least nutritious foods in your regular diet with healthier alternatives, according to HelpGuide.org. Instead of chomping on a chocolate croissant for breakfast, for example, eat a couple of pieces of fresh fruit or a bowl of steel-cut oats. Sip water throughout the day instead of gulping down soft drinks, and choose recipes that use whole-grain ingredients instead of refined grains.
Step 3
Plan meals, snacks, menus and recipes in advance. Doing so will save both time and money, according to Mayo Clinic dietitian Katherine Zeratsky, and it will help you stick to the parameters of your new diet. Avoid impulse buys at the grocery store by following a list of ingredients and staple foods or limiting the amount of money you'll allow yourself to spend on treats.
Step 4
Allow for flexibility in the diet you choose. The Mayo Clinic says that occasional indulgences are fine and that an ideal diet should not forbid any food. By holding on to small parts of the way you used to eat and giving yourself permission to embrace flexibility in the new routine, you're likely to enjoy more success with the changes you do implement.
Step 5
Think of exercise as a food group in your daily diet, HelpGuide.org says. Regular physical activity can enhance the results of any diet, improve overall health, boost energy and inspire you to make better food choices. Try a balance of stretching, aerobic activity and strength training to build muscles and improve endurance.
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