9 ways to eat healthy

We’re all familiar with the holiday cycle: We give in to sweet treats and hearty, almost over-indulgent, meals. Then, at the end of December when the clock strikes 12, we decide to try and make healthier choices. But you don’t have to wait until January to pick up good eating habits. Start now and develop positive, healthy habits so that you can start the new year on a good note.

Need some tips for transitioning to eating healthy? I’m going to share a few tricks I’ve developed over the years that help me stay on track.

1. Get Ready Ahead of Time

Prep your meals at the beginning of the week, especially if you know you will be short for time in the week ahead. For lunch, you can make a salad or prepare a meal that will last you every day of the week. And for dinners, you can prep ingredients so that they’re ready to go when you’re ready to whip something up.

2. Write it Down

I write down everything I eat each day in a small notebook. It may not be for everyone, but it helps me stay accountable for what I eat, and it’s a huge help. Once I eat something, I write it down quickly. I do not count calories — as an overly organized control freak, that would make me go crazy. #AintNobodyGotTimeToCalorieCount

3. Drink Up

Drink plenty of water. Aim for at least half your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water every day. Once you drink that, try to drink more—aim for a gallon—and cut out the sugary soda and juice.

4. Break Your Fast

Start your day off strong with a healthy breakfast. If you don’t have time to eat breakfast at home, and you don’t feel like carrying breakfast with you to work, try a meal replacement shake that has high-quality protein, healthy fats and healthy carbohydrates. If you're trying to lose weight, build muscle or improve performance, your body needs to be fueled properly, so super low-calorie options just won't work. Meal replacement shakes contain natural sugar from apples, beets and pears to add a bit of sweetness instead of “fake sugars” that just cause bloating and metabolic damage. Your body knows how to process sugar from natural sources.

5. Size It Right

Learn correct portion sizes for your meals. I used to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and I was never full. Looking back, I have learned I was never full because I was not eating a well-rounded meal. My typical lunch or dinner now will consist of:

• 5 ounces of protein. Buy a scale and weigh it—you will be surprised at how big of a portion this really is.
• 2+ cups of veggies. Try mixed greens for a salad or a cooked vegetable blend.
• ½ to 1 cup of a healthy carbohydrate. That includes brown rice, quinoa and sweet potatoes.
• Healthy fats. Try ½ avocado, some almonds, natural almond butter or peanut butter or feta cheese.

6. Keep It Real

Avoid processed foods, and focus on real food. So, rather than heating up a frozen stir-fry skillet meal, make your own rice and sauté a blend of veggies and meat in a pan with a splash of soy sauce and sesame oil. Or, instead of using marinara from a jar, make your own pasta sauce with some crushed tomatoes, herbs and salt and pepper simmered in a pan.

7. Eat Your Veggies

Vegetables contain loads of fiber, which can aid in weight loss and help with digestion. They also make for great snack options. Try carrot sticks or celery with some hummus.

8. Learn to Love Black Coffee

I used to add sugary flavorings and tons of other unhealthy extras to my coffee. It took a while to eliminate all the extras and drink it plain, but I love it black now. A plain cup of brewed coffee, according to MayoClinic.org, is only two calories and no fat. Adding in a tablespoon of heavy whipping cream adds 52 calories; a tablespoon of sugar is an extra 49 calories; and a tablespoon of half-and-half is an extra 20 calories.

9. Love Your Snacks

Find healthy snacks that you enjoy. I look forward to my snacks, not because I am starving, but because I love the taste of them. An apple paired with natural almond butter is my favorite go-to morning snack — I eat it every single day.