There’s no denying that keeping your family healthy is an important goal; however, there are times when this can seem near impossible. Between fussy eaters and busy schedules, sometimes it feels like following a healthy, balanced diet is a myth that we can always work toward but never achieve.
Nevertheless, the benefits of a healthy diet make this pursuit worthwhile, and there are plenty of ways in which you can begin to improve your diet.
One of the most effective ways to make this transition is to make healthy eating fun. After all, when the decision to eat healthily feels less like a chore and more like something we want to do – we’re more likely to hold ourselves accountable. Furthermore, it also makes it easier to get your children on board, especially if you’re modeling good behavior.
Photo by Anna Pelzer on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are some simple ways to make healthy eating fun.
Get creative with new recipes.
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding healthy eating is the idea that it’s dull or boring when compared to unhealthy dishes. However, this is simply not the case – and there are plenty of delicious recipes that you can try out as you begin
expanding your repertoire as a home cook.
To begin with, focus on foods you know you’ve enjoyed in the past. Then, begin to experiment by finding new ways to cook them, or new dishes to serve them alongside in order to make them a little bit healthier. For example, if you’ve always enjoyed battered or fried fish, you could Try this 15-minute blackened cod recipe tonight.
Choose the healthier versions of your favorite snacks.
Do not make the mistake of believing that healthy eating requires you to restrict yourself, especially when it comes to snacks. After all, there are many proven benefits to snacking. For example, it can “curb your appetite to prevent overeating at the next meal”, or provide you with a boost of energy.
However, you can ensure that your snacking habits do not undo your hard work by substituting your favorite snacks with healthier alternatives. For example, you could purchase sugar-free (or reduced sugar) versions of your favorite drinks and candy, which will drastically shrink your sugar intake. This can help with everything from weight regulation to improved sleep patterns and reduce the chances of you dealing with health conditions such as diabetes.
Allow yourself the occasional treat.
Dieting is all about finding the right balance – which means that you should also allow yourself to enjoy the odd unhealthy meal or snack from time to time. For example, you may want to allocate yourself one ‘cheat day’ each week, where you indulge a little more freely. Having this system in place will help you stay motivated throughout the week and as a result, can make healthy eating feel a lot more fun.
Furthermore, this can be a great way to build a positive relationship with both food and your body, as it stops you from viewing certain foods as ‘bad’. The better your relationship with your body, the easier it will be to follow a healthy lifestyle.
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