5 Diet Hacks That Will Take You From Zero to Hero

We all know that with the many different diet theories in circulation it can be a challenge to know which one is right for you. And once you have selected one it can be even more of a challenge to stick to it! Research from Harvard Medical School has shown that these diet hacks will make turning your diet into a lifestyle as easy as 1 to 5.

 

1. Learn To Think About Food Differently

The bottom line to healthy eating is that we all need to learn to understand food – and the impact it has on our bodies – differently. The breakthrough diet research in the last decade has revealed a picture of healthy eating that wasn’t there before. We now understand how poisonous sugar is and how an acidic diet creates inflammation in the body. We also understand that the dietary guidelines of years passed are no longer applicable. While meat and potatoes may have been the accepted staple once upon a time, this is surely no longer the case.

Our attitudes need to change with the times and the growing base of evidence. We now know that vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and fish are best. If you focus on these you’re guaranteed a holistic, long term healthy eating strategy.  

2. Experiment With New Recipes & Meal Plans

You have to make healthy eating fun! Not only do you have boosted energy levels and a slim figure to look forward to. You also get to experiment with new recipes. Harvard Researchers recommend that you get creative and take chances. This will increase the likely hood of you sticking to your eating plan.

There are so many exciting healthy recipes out there. Not everything is for everyone, but you have a whole new taste palate to explore. Switch up meal plans weekly to keep it interesting and involve your partner or best friend. Healthy cooking could be your next big hobby!

 

3.  Slow Change Is Better

Change should not be done all at once. Multiple studies have shown the benefits of an increase in levels of change over time. You are more likely to make your diet into a lifestyle if you give both your brain and your body and opportunity to get used to it in stages. One step at a time is best – think the tortoise and the hare!

Harvard Medical School makes the following suggestions:

• Start with breakfast, switching from eggs, bacon, donuts, white toast, or bagels to oatmeal or bran cereal and fruit. If you just can’t spare 10 minutes for a sit-down breakfast, grab high-fiber cereal bars instead of donuts or muffins.
• Next, try out salads, low-fat yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese, tuna or peanut butter sandwiches (on low GI whole grain), and fruit for lunch.
• Snack on unsalted nuts, trail mix, fruit, raw veggies, rice cakes, or graham crackers. Try eating a few handfuls of a crunchy fiber cereals, or nibble on a cereal bar.
• For dinner, experiment with fish, skinless poultry, beans, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, and, of course, salads and veggies.
• Fruit and low-fat frozen desserts are examples of desirable after-dinner treats.

As Harvard says: “Change slowly. By the time you are 40, you’ll have eaten some 40,000 meals — and lots of snacks besides. Give yourself time to change, targeting one item a week.

 

4. Be Relaxed About Your Diet

Being too strict with yourself is never going to work! Know your goals and why you value how you are eating. Educate yourself on the affects of various foods on the body and how diet impacts your health. This will keep you motivated in a healthy way.

You do, however, need to realise that your plate is not going to look perfect every single time and that is ok! Eight or nine times out of ten is far better than not at all.  Moderation is key.

“You will never find a perfect food. Not everything on your plate needs to have a higher purpose. Take your tastes and preferences into account. If roast beef is your favorite food, it is okay to eat it — but try to make it a Sunday treat instead of a daily staple. The choices are yours — and the better your overall diet, the more “wiggle room” you’ll have to indulge your passions,” say the researchers at Harvard Medical School.

 

5.  Take A Long Term View

Keep the bigger picture in mind! Understand your short and long term goals and make sure that you have action steps in place to achieve them. Know that the healthy eating decisions that you are making now will have a positive impact on your health for the rest of your life. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

“Don’t get down on yourself if you slip up or “cheat” from time to time. Don’t worry about every meal, much less every mouthful. Your nutritional peaks and valleys will balance out if your overall dietary pattern is sound,” the researchers add