Six Tips To Help With Dietary Changes

The end of the year is typically the time that we make a decision to make changes to our lives -  obviously the ones that I am interested in are the changes that can make a difference to your health and wellbeing!

Here are six tips that might help to ensure that the changes are sustainable and will enable you to optimise your health in 2021: 

It’s Personal

When it comes to nutrition there is no "one-size-fits-all" we are all unique and what works for one person, might not be right for you. 

Don’t join in with the latest diet trend without giving it some thought – vegan, vegetarian, paleo, keto, low carb or gluten free - may not be the right choice for you at this moment in time. 

However when you find a lifestyle that works for you and makes you happy it will be easy to stick to!

Find Healthy Foods That You Enjoy

If you don’t enjoy the meals that you make a new eating plan is not likely to last long term. 

Creating a healthy diet is about adding in nutrient dense ingredients that not only taste amazing but also provide the nutrition you need to optimise your health.

Food is not just necessary for fuel and to satisfy hunger it nourishes the body, makes us happy and is a big part of our social life – so we need to enjoy it!

Start Small and Build

Making one small change that you stick to can be very powerful and is much more sustainable than a complete lifestyle overhaul. 

Once the adjustment becomes a habit move on to the next one you will soon have a good base in place for a healthy lifestyle.

A few examples – 

Have fruit after lunch instead of chocolate

Adding in 1 extra vegetable with dinner

Go for a walk every evening after dinner

Don’t Go All or Nothing!

Be realistic – telling yourself you will never eat pizza or chocolate or ice-cream ever again is not a nice thought! 

It’s all about finding a balance that works for you and getting into the habit of making the right choice.

Making your own pizza is easy and much more nutritious than one from a box, swap to dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate and try a recipe for a delicious but healthy ice-cream!

I send out a new recipe to my community every Friday – just send me a message if you would like to join us.

It’s Not A Quick Fix

Improving your health is an ongoing project it’s not going to happen in a week or even a month. 

Long term results are achieved by consistently making the best choice and that’s why you have to enjoy the food you are eating and feel good about lifestyle adjustments.

Any diet that offers you a quick fix for weight loss is not likely to be a long-term solution because it doesn’t address the habits that caused the weight gain to start with. So as soon as you stop the ‘diet’ those old habits slip back in and weight loss will stop.

Be patient and be flexible - the health benefits are not just weight loss you will feel more energetic, get quality sleep, have balanced moods and feel more confident.

It's Not Always Easy But it's Definitely Worth It

Changing habits that have been with us for a long time can sometimes be hard. 

The easiest option is often to go back to what we were doing last year. 

Accept that some days it’s going to be tough

…. but stick with it – the rewards will be worth the effort! 

Ask for help, support and accountability from family, friends, a personal trainer and / or a nutritionist (that’s me!!)