There’s a good reason why the first step of many who decide to embark on a health journey is to reset the way they approach their diet. What we consume on a daily basis is what affects us in more ways than one, shaping the way we feel physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
While the ongoing health crisis has certainly made it easier for many of us to fall by the wayside in terms of healthy eating habits, the good news is, we can make a positive change in our life, starting by adopting a more holistic approach to our diet. Whether you want to boost your immune system, tune into your body’s needs, or simply feel the need to start eating healthier, these five tips will help you reset your eating habits and approach your diet in a more holistic way.
Eliminate sugar, processed foods, and alcohol from your diet
Many of us tend to treat these small guilty pleasures as rewards – after all, we deserve it, right? Well, yes, and no. While indulging in these treats from time to time may not be harmful in the long run, the truth is, they’re packed with toxic ingredients that alter your brain chemistry and cause inflammation.
As challenging as it is, do your best to nix sugars, alcohol, and processed foods from your diet, and turn to healthy, good-for-you substitutes rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Steer clear of drinks and seemingly healthy foods that contain added sugar, taking the good old “Out of sight, out of mind” approach like I did and keeping junk food and alcohol out of reach.
Make raw foods a part of your diet
Other than saying sayonara to booze, sugars, and fast food, another thing I did to help reset my eating habits is I focused more on eating raw. Sure, cooked food is great for your health, but it just doesn’t supply your body with nourishing ingredients the way raw foods do. This is because a lot of nutrients get lost during the cooking process, and there’s a whole list of foods you’re better off eating raw if you want to maximize their benefits. These include foods such as red bell pepper, coconut, blueberries, nuts, and fruit juice.
Just make sure to make consuming raw foods as convenient as you can. You can do so by preparing the food in advance and pre-cutting the veggies and fruits. That way, you’ll be more likely to reach for healthy snacks between meals.
Align your diet with your lifestyle
The key to taking a more holistic approach to your diet is listening to what your body is telling you and taking those signals as cues for regulating your current eating patterns. The truth is, we’re all created differently, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to diet.
This is why it’s important that you align your diet with your particular lifestyle. Different factors such as your job, the place where you live, physical activity, and general fitness levels may require you to adopt a carnivore diet which can be quite beneficial when used by the right individuals. I would definitely suggest you experiment with your eating choices to see what works for you. Also, feel free to modify your diet, since this is the best way to ensure that you’re eating balanced, nutritious meals.
Increase your daily water intake
Getting your diet back on track doesn’t only mean incorporating the right foods and eliminating those that are harmful to your health. It also means coming up with creative ways to stay hydrated, especially if this is something you tend to forget.
The way I do it is I infuse my water with fruits (I love me some sliced berries and oranges), but you can also go with herbs or veggies. You can also make some popsicles or simply munch on some water-rich fruits such as watermelon or grapes to sneak some more water into your daily routine. This truly is one of those holistic diet habits that’s quite simple to incorporate yet it brings multiple health benefits, including improved sleep quality, organ function maintenance, and infection prevention.
Practice mindful eating
Many of us don’t really dedicate our full attention to our meals. Whether that means reading articles, listening to the radio, or watching TV while eating, not focusing on the meal in front of us can actually be detrimental to our relationship with food, leading to poor (read: impulsive) food choices as well as unhealthy habits such as overeating.
Instead of focusing on everything else rather than the food during mealtime, do your best to make eating a mindful process. Most importantly, don’t regard food as an enemy. Instead, treat it as a friend that will help nourish your body and mind. This is often the missing piece to healthy eating that, when implemented, can help us in our aims to both look and feel good.
Wrapping up
Reframing your mindset and adopting healthy eating habits can be challenging, but it is a surefire way to change your diet and, consequently, lifestyle, for the better. While those first few steps can be difficult to make, if you persist in your efforts to eat better, you can ensure a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lifestyle, and the overall feeling of improved health and well-being.
