When looking forward to a new year, it’s very common to want to eat healthier (and this is an admirable resolution!). Yet, it is just as common to fall hard off that bandwagon about two months—or even sooner—after the new year begins.
Why?
Well, our good intentions are great, but reality inevitably sets in. We then find ourselves easily slipping back into our old habits once again. We may feel overwhelmed by our high expectations, or we’re not sure how to deal with the challenges that we face. So we just give up.
We’re trying to jump instantly from level one to level ten, while ignoring the steps in between. We forget to give ourselves grace in learning a new habit. And, in turn, neglect our end goal.
Luckily for you, I want to teach you just one healthy habit that you can start implementing immediately, and you don’t need to make any changes (if you don’t want to).
This article is written by Lindsey Cover
For more on this topic, check out the full New Year New Goals collection
One Healthy Nutrition Habit to Start in the New Year (Without Changing What You Eat!)
I bet you’re wondering, “What change could I possibly make to impact my nutrition— without changing what I eat?”
Let me tell you. You may be surprised at how easy it really is. Ready? Here it comes…
Read.
Yes, that’s right…I said “read.” As in, read food labels. (That is, if what you eat even comes in a package. Obviously, if you focus on eating whole fruits, vegetables, and meats, very little of what you buy will even have food labels or nutrition facts!)
By reading labels (even if you don’t stop buying and consuming that particular product), you will start to become aware of what goes into your food. Hopefully, this will make you curious about what some of those ingredients you can’t pronounce actually are!
What to Look For on a Label
When you read an ingredient label, there are several questions you may want to ask yourself.
- How many ingredients are on the list?
- Can you pronounce all the ingredients?
- Would you cook with those same ingredients in your own kitchen?
- How many ingredients are refined or a type of sweetener (i.e. sugar, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, cane juice, etc.)?
Even if you don’t have all the answers to these questions, you will begin to observe how many of the foods and drinks you consume contain healthy (or questionable) ingredients.
This is a stupid-easy first step. For real. You could start today by walking over to your refrigerator or pantry and picking up the first package you see. It doesn’t mean you need to feel guilty. It doesn’t require you to throw away anything. And it doesn’t even force you to stop eating it. Just…read.
For more on this topic, check out the full New Year New Goals collection
Featured Contributor: Lindsey Cover
Lindsey Cover is a work-at-home wife and mom of two young boys, Jadon and Owen. She blogs about affordable healthy living, money-saving methods, simple recipes, and more at SimpleSaverWife.com
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