It requires a lot of work and constant attention to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The benefits of eating foods that are good for us are not always easy to see or feel but maintaining a healthy lifestyle gives us a longer and healthier life. These 13 tips for eating healthier will save not only on the waistline but on the food budget as well.
13 Tips for Eating Healthier
- Do cook and eat at home more often. Skip the huge portions and industrialized food service food. Make a plan and eat healthier at home.
- Do eat more beans. Soak them, cook them, spice them, and toss them in with everything you eat.
- Do eat more foods with whole grains. Look for ingredients made with wheat that begins with “whole wheat.” Transition away from white flour by using Bob’s Red Mill whole wheat pastry flour for baking cookies and cakes.
- Do eat brown rice and other ancient grains that are good for you. A pressure cooker makes brown rice in 20 minutes compared to 45-50 minutes on the stove top.
- Do eat more vegetables. Eat more dark green, leafy vegetables. Kale, chard, spinach, collard – they’re all so good for us! Chop and sauté with olive oil, onion, and garlic.
- Do grow your own vegetables. Swiss chard and rainbow chard are easy to grow from seed and you can start them directly into the soil (direct sow).
- Do skip food trends. While the latest marketing campaigns for acai or pomegranates do a great job of promoting their healthiness, there are plenty of vitamins and omega 3s in other less expensive fruits and vegetables.
- Don’t buy foods with preservatives. Bake your own cookies, granola bars and other snacks and skip the small packaged items.
- Don’t drink soda. Go for a brisk walk to wake up or take a nap. Drink water instead.
- Do read food labels. Know what you’re putting into your body.
- Don’t buy foods made with chemicals. If you can’t pronounce the ingredients or you don’t keep them in your kitchen pantry, they’re most likely not good for you.
- Don’t buy processed foods. Limit foods you purchase that come in a box and keep in mind that even organic or non-gmo foods can be “processed.”
- Do enjoy a treat. While it’s good to be careful about what you eat, it’s nice to have a treat like ice cream or dark chocolate – just keep the serving size small.
Is it just me or does it feel “maintaining” gets harder every year?
Go Gingham related links:
The biggest “stay the same” – the reality show I’m pitching!
Growing vegetables in small spaces – I call it “sky gardening”
Frugal grocery shopping and slowing down for family eating
Go Gingham 
Pure coincidence, but I am cooking pinto beans from dried for dinner today. Cutting up ham from New Year’s to put in it, the ham was boneless or I would have put that in. Also making cornbread from scratch in my cast-iron skillet. It is cold but clear here, and this makes a nice, warm, comforting meal.
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Karen,
Your meal sounds delicious! I’m on my way over… 🙂
Seriously, that’s the best way to cook – with beans, using leftovers and corn bread in a skillet. All my favorites!
ps we’re having pinto beans tonight with leftover chicken from the weekend. Great minds, think alike!!
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I’ve probably mentioned this before, but when I did Weight Watchers a few years ago, I had an epiphany–if I cooked my own food, I had control over what ingredients went into it! Who knew? 🙂 And yes, Sara, it does get harder to maintain every year. I don’t make New Year’s resolutions–I just try to maintain healthy eating and regular exercise. My brain can’t handle too many new challenges.
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Yes, that is a good epiphany, Kris! We rarely (as you know!) eat out because we like to know what we’re eating.
It’s easy to make food taste good with butter, oil, and salt. I’m not saying I don’t like those ingredients but I do like to control how much we’re eating of them.
Thanks, Kris. You’re smart – even if you think your brain can’t handle the challenges. I know better 😉
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Gosh, yes, it’s harder to maintain year after year. I did learn, finally, that I have more control over what (and how much) I eat when we cook at home. We also save a ton of money!
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Vanessa! Yes, it is harder and the money saved is worth it, isn’t it?
Thanks for writing in and way to go!! 🙂
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