How to Start Eating Healthy: 7 Tips for Beginners

Making strides toward healthier eating doesn't have to feel overwhelming. By following the right healthy eating tips and practical strategies, you can transform your relationship with food and fuel your body for better energy, improved mood, and long-term wellness.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your current approach to eating healthy, we have 30 essential healthy eating tips for you that will help you build sustainable habits that actually stick.

But first, let’s talk about the healthiest way to eat.

What is Actually the Healthiest Way to Eat?

When it comes to how to eat healthy, the answer isn't to follow restrictive diets or cut out entire food groups. Instead, it's about embracing balance, variety, and whole foods that nourish your body.

Focus on building your plate:

• Half filled with colorful fruits and vegetables

• One quarter with lean proteins like chicken, fish, beans, or quality meat snacks

• One quarter with whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat pasta

This balanced approach ensures you're getting a diverse range of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants your body needs to thrive. Following these healthy eating guidelines helps you create habits that feel natural rather than forced.

30 Essential Healthy Eating Tips

Put these tips for eating healthy into action for lasting results.

1. Master the balanced plate method

Visualize your plate divided into sections to ensure you're getting the right mix of nutrients at every meal.

2. Prioritize plant foods

Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains provide the fiber that 95% of people aren't getting enough of. 

3. Choose complex carbohydrates

In terms of healthy eating habits, swap refined carbs like white bread for whole grains like oats, brown rice, and quinoa. These digest slowly, keeping you fuller longer.

4. Boost your protein intake

Protein preserves lean muscle mass and keeps you satisfied between meals. Learn more strategies to increase protein intake throughout your day.

5. Embrace healthy fats

Include sources like avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish. Incorporating these healthy eating habits support brain health and help your body absorb essential vitamins.

6. Always shop with a list

A well-planned shopping list helps you avoid impulse purchases of less nutritious items and supports your healthy eating habits.

7. Navigate the store strategically

One of our favorite healthy eating tips is to shop the perimeter, where fresh produce, proteins, and dairy are typically located. The center aisles tend to house more processed options.

8. Become a label detective

Check ingredient lists and nutrition facts. Look for products with recognizable ingredients and minimal added sugars.

9. Dedicate time to meal planning

Set aside 20 minutes each week to map out your meals. This simple habit eliminates daily decision fatigue and makes eating healthy easier.

10. Prep ingredients in advance

Wash lettuce, chop vegetables, cook grains, or prepare protein sources on weekends to streamline weeknight cooking.

11. Never skip breakfast

In terms of healthy eating habits, starting your day with a nutritious meal helps manage hunger and sets a positive tone. Need healthy eating ideas? Check out these on the go breakfast options.

12. Include protein at every meal

Whether it's eggs at breakfast, chicken at lunch, or beans at dinner, protein helps stabilize blood sugar and maintain satiety.

13. Stay consistently hydrated

Keep a reusable water bottle with you and sip throughout the day. Often, feelings of hunger are actually signs of thirst.

14. Keep convenient snacks accessible

Stock your pantry, desk, and car with better for you snacks so you're never caught without options.

15. Pack portable protein snacks

Chomps Habanero Beef delivers 10g of protein, bold flavor, and convenience. They’re perfect for busy days when you need sustained energy.

16. Try Chomplings for the whole family

With their smaller size, Chomplings are ideal for kids’ lunchboxes and quick snack breaks, making it easier for families to choose healthier snacks without extra planning.

17. Mix up your protein sources

Salt & pepper venison sticks offer a leaner alternative with the same snappy bite you crave.

18. Consider eating smaller, more frequent meals

This approach to healthy eating helps optimize nutrition and energy while stabilizing blood sugar levels throughout the day.

19. Make home cooking a priority

Cooking at home gives you complete control over ingredients and preparation methods, which is essential for eating healthy. Discover delicious ways to cook with Chomps meat sticks!

20. Season with herbs and spices

Instead of relying on excessive salt, use herbs and spices to add bold flavor and beneficial antioxidants.

21. Eliminate mealtime distractions

Put away phones and turn off the TV. Being present is one of the best healthy eating habits that allows you to recognize fullness cues and enjoy your food more.

22. Slow down your eating pace

Chewing thoroughly and putting your fork down between bites allows your brain time to register satiety.

23. Honor your hunger signals

Eat when you're truly hungry rather than out of boredom, stress, or habit. This is a key component of healthy eating habits.

24. Make meals a family affair

Eating together supports building positive eating habits for kids and creates meaningful connections.

25. Establish a consistent meal schedule

Regular eating times help prevent intense hunger that leads to overeating or poor choices.

26. Opt for grass-fed meat when possible

Understanding the difference between grass fed vs vegetarian fed beef helps you make informed protein choices.

27. Choose leaner protein options

Turkey jerky provides high-quality protein with 0g of sugar and clean ingredients you can actually pronounce.

28. Cut back on ultra-processed foods

Minimize consumption of items high in added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats that lack real nutritional value.

29. Reduce your added sugar intake

If you're consuming a lot of sugary foods, consider a sugar detox to reset your palate and reduce cravings.

30. Prioritize whole, real foods

Choose items that look similar to how they appear in nature. The less processed, the better.

How to Start Eating Healthy

Ready to make a change but not sure where to begin? Start small.

The biggest mistake people make when eating healthy is trying to overhaul everything at once. Instead, focus on gradual, manageable changes that you can sustain long-term.

Here's how to get started:

1. Choose one meal to improve first - Maybe it's adding vegetables to breakfast or packing a nutritious lunch

2. Learn to read food labels - Check serving sizes and look for products with less sodium, added sugar, and saturated fat

3. Plan ahead - Create a healthy meal plan for the week to avoid last-minute unhealthy choices

4. Stock your kitchen - Keep nutritious options readily available so healthy choices become the easy choices

Remember, building new healthy eating habits takes time. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small wins along the way.

What Are the 3 P's for Eating Healthy?

The 3 P's framework makes eating healthy simple and sustainable:

Planning

Creating a weekly meal schedule and shopping list prevents impulsive, less nutritious food choices. When you know what you're eating in advance, you're less likely to resort to takeout or ultra-processed convenience foods.

Preparation

Batch cooking grains, chopping vegetables, or portioning out snacks on the weekend sets you up for success all week long. Even 30 minutes of prep can make weeknight meals infinitely easier.

Portion Awareness

This last P is about tuning into your body's hunger and fullness cues through intuitive eating. Eat when you're hungry, stop when you're satisfied, and practice mindfulness during meals.

What is the 3-3-3-3 Eating Plan?

The 3-3-3-3 eating plan offers a simple structure for balanced nutrition throughout the day.

Here's how it works:

• 3 balanced meals - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• 3 healthy snacks - Strategically timed between meals

• 3 hours between eating - Helps stabilize blood sugar and energy

• 3 food groups per meal - Ensures nutritional variety and satisfaction

This approach prevents the energy crashes and intense hunger that lead to overeating or poor food choices. It's particularly effective for maintaining steady energy levels and supporting your body's natural metabolic rhythm.

Start Your Healthy Eating Journey Today

Eating healthy doesn't require perfection or following complicated rules. It's about making consistent, thoughtful choices that support your wellbeing through sustainable healthy eating habits.

Start by choosing just three to five healthy eating tips from this list that resonate most with you. Focus on those until they become second nature, then add more as you're ready.

Remember: progress over perfection is the mantra that leads to lasting change. Keep a variety of Chomps meat sticks on hand for nutritious, convenient options that support your healthy eating habits, and be patient with yourself as you develop sustainable routines that fit your lifestyle.