As a dietitian I strive to show people that healthy eating can be easy, approachable, affordable, exciting and delicious. I understand that sometimes it can feel very overwhelming to know what is right for you and how to even start making healthy choices with the ever changing trends and unrealistic standards often seen on social media and in the media.
My goal through sharing nutrition information and fun recipes as a dietitian is to empower people to make the best possible choices for their own life. I don’t believe that there is a one size fits all approach to health and wellness. The things that help you to feel your best are unique to you, and that’s a good thing!
This National Nutrition Month I’m proud to be a registered dietitian and am excited to go to work everyday knowing that I can make a positive impact on someone’s health.
Here are a few simple ways you can add more nutrition to your diet. All of these suggestions are things you can start implementing right away and require very little effort overall!
1. Start small
It can feel tempting to do a complete overhaul of your current routine when you want to make healthy choices. I say instead, start small. Think of one small thing you can add into your routine for the week and focus on that.
Successfully incorporating that one thing in your routine will give you the confidence to keep building on that and ultimately reach your big goals.
2. Make a plan for the week
If meal prepping isn’t your thing, start by simply making a plan for meals for the week. Write down what you plan to have and check your fridge and pantry for ingredients before grocery shopping.
Not only does this help you save money, but it also prevents you from constantly wondering what’s for dinner or scrambling at the last minute when you’re already starving.
At the very least having a rough plan will put you on the right path to mealtime success.
3. Think green
If your goal is to eat more greens but you’re not exactly excited about it, this one's for you. When making a meal or having leftovers simple and a handful of greens.
This works for almost any dish! Leftover pizza? Add greens on top or make a small side salad. Egg for breakfast? Stir in some spinach.
It can be as easy as that to add more of the good nutrition greens offer to any of your meals!
4. Turn your snack into a power snack
Snacking is not a bad thing. It’s more about the type of snack. Packaged snacks can be high in calories, sugar and salt, which doesn’t serve your body as well as something that contains protein and fiber.
Enter the power snack. A power snack is a combination of two foods that contain protein and fiber that will help to keep you fuller for longer.
My favorite power snack combination is a turkey jalapeno Chomps meat stick with apples slices. It’s a sweet and spicy combination that keeps me full and can be eaten on the go!
I’m such a fan of Chomps not only because they are a nutritious snack but also because of their dedication toward protecting the environment, animal welfare and quality grass-fed and finished venison and free-range, antibiotic-free turkey.
You will find a sea salt beef or jalapeno turkey stick in all my bags because I love knowing that I have a nutritious snack I can count on anytime I’m on the go.
5. Cook at home
Eating out is fun and definitely a nice break from cooking, but I say keep it to once or twice a week and cook the rest of your meals at home.
Why? Restaurant and fast-food meals are typically large portions of food that aren’t always prepared in the healthiest ways and most often lacking in the vegetable department.
Cooking at home gives you the opportunity to cook with more veggies, explore different cuisines and even remake some of your favorite take-out foods in a healthier way at home. Spaghetti squash pad thai anyone?!
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