5 Simple Tips to Eat Smart

With a busy schedule and everyday obligations, eating well can seem impossible and intimidating. After all, healthy eating can often be associated with unsustainable fad diets.  

Not to worry! Today we’ll give you five tips that will help you eat smart, stay healthy, and make healthy eating a breeze. That’s because smart eating isn’t just about the food you eat. It’s about making simple, sustainable choices that help you look and feel your best while getting all of the essential nutrients you know are good for your body. Let’s dive in!

1. Intentional eating

Sometimes called mindful eating, this is a habit that can help people control what they eat. The idea is to write down everything you eat in a food diary that enables you to track your choices. A few things you can jot down in this diary are:

• What you’re eating
• Portion sizes you’re eating
• Times of day to eat

You can also write down what you’re feeling before or after eating, which is super helpful if you deal with other issues such as stress or anxiety. 

2. Remember, food fuels your body!

Think of your body as a machine. It requires food, rest, and movement to take care of you! The things you eat and drink have the power to give you more energy or make you feel depleted. According to the American Heart Association, food can help you both pre and post-workout.

However, your body requires energy to do its involuntary activities as well. Your heartbeat, brain functions, and breath all take up calories and food real estate, so make sure you’re getting all of the proper nutrients, drinking plenty of water, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables to keep your body running smoothly. A few ideas to incorporate:

• Eat local produce. This is seasonal and fresher because it travels fewer miles. 
• Stay away from packaged or processed foods. These contain preservatives and are known for carrying excess sugar and salt. 
• Eat organic if you can. These foods are grown without pesticides. If cost is an issue, you can aim for only buying the dirty dozen as organic produce or make sure you wash your produce well before you eat. 

3. Try meal prepping!

Planning your meals is a great way to make sure you stick to healthy eating habits that help your body and brain. That’s where prepping your meals can help you! The process involves:

• Thinking of breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas and creating an ingredient list.
• Going to the grocery store and buying these things.
• Slicing, chopping, and prepping your ingredients in batches. 
• Cooking your meals ahead of time and storing them in containers. 

Finally, reheat and enjoy your meals!

4. Get your greens!

With so many amazingly delicious vegetables, you’re sure to find a few you’ll like. There are many great lettuces to choose from as a base if you enjoy salads, zucchini is versatile and can be roasted, baked, or sauteed, and you can select from snap peas, lima beans, spinach, kale, broccoli, and okra! 

The American Heart Association suggests adding greens to potatoes, omelets, stir-fries, and even smoothies! Some days can get extra busy, so we also recommend our SUPER Greens Superfood powder for days when you need a boost.   

5. Improve your relationship with food

We live in a culture that encourages us to go on fad diets that exclude certain foods because they are “bad,” which can damage our relationship with food. So, here are a few ways to help navigate through improving your relationship with your food.

• Enjoy your food (simple, we know!)
• Be grateful for your body and what it does for you
• Keep track of how you feel when you eat
• Don’t guilt yourself over the occasional treat
• Educate yourself with credible books like Genius Foods

Smart eating habits and a fitness plan can help you transform both your mind and body. Remember, you’re not alone in your journey, and there are many out there who can support your goals!