Eating well seems easy in theory, but in practice a healthy diet is not so easy to develop. There are many barriers to clean eating, and it can be an uphill battle to conquer them all. However, if you are able to overcome the challenges to developing a healthy diet, you will experience a lifetime of rewards.
Access
It may seem like a given that fresh, healthy food is available to all people, but this is not the case. Many neighborhoods, especially urban and low-income neighborhoods, have stores with minimal fresh produce, whole grains and lean protein available. That which is available is often priced high. Even suburban neighborhoods are not immune to high prices for fresh foods. As many families are forced to cut grocery budgets, it is tempting to sacrifice fresh fruit, vegetables and lean cuts of meat for cheaper packaged, highly processed foods. Combat high grocery prices by choosing produce that is in season. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are cheaper and fresher. Comb your weekly circular and coupons to determine which fresh produce, lean meat and whole grains are on sale, and plan your meals accordingly.
Education
Many people do not eat healthy simply because they do not know the healthiest ways to eat. With experts touting a new way of eating each week, it is no wonder you may be confused. To help you, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has produced a food pyramid, which is a guide to healthy eating. The food pyramid guide promotes eating a varied diet from all food groups to ensure that you get all the vitamins and nutrients you need.
Big Portions
While you can control portions and ingredients more easily by cooking at home, most people indulge in fast food or restaurant meals from time to time. Both fast food and sit-down restaurants offer huge portions that could easily feed two or three people. When portions are too large, even seemingly nutritious food loses some of its health benefits. It is often hard to stop eating when a large amount of food is placed in front of you, especially when you are enjoying your food in the company of friends or family. Try sharing a meal with a friend, or order from the appetizer menu for a smaller portion of the foods you love.
Time
A popular misconception is that it is much more time-consuming to prepare fresh, healthy food than packaged convenience foods. Today's busy lifestyles lead many families to adopt a fast-food diet or a diet of prepared meals that are high in saturated fat, trans fats and preservatives. With a little planning, you can prepare a healthy, filling meal in the same time it takes to cook a frozen pizza. Stock your freezer with thin cuts of lean chicken, turkey and beef, since thin cuts of meat will cook quickly. Frozen and canned vegetables without added sodium make quick and easy side dishes. Plan your meals on the weekends, and cook enough food to last multiple days. Choose recipes that freeze well, so you will always have a nutritious meal on hand.
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