Five ways to eat better

From calorie counting to never-ending unsuccessful fasting, dieting is a dreadful task many loathe to do. Eating better shouldn't feel like a chore or give you any additional stress. If you are struggling to give your body the nutrients you need, try these five simple ways to eat healthier.

Create meal plans. Following a weekly meal plan is a great way to reinforce healthy eating habits. Doing this creates a beneficial routine that encourages healthy behavior through meal preparation. Meal planning is a great tool to have fast, easy, and healthy meals at a manageable pace that is customizable to your needs. For me, following a weekly meal plan ensures I'm eating everything I'm supposed to and helps me cut costs at the grocery store by not purchasing unnecessary items.

Eat smaller portions. Instead of eating three large meals throughout the day, try consuming three smaller meals with snacks in between. This is an excellent way to limit the possibility of over-eating while also ensuring that your metabolism is utilized continuously throughout the day. Portion control is something many people struggle with, but introducing it slowly over time will become more effective with a high probability of success.

Consume a lot of fruits and vegetables. It's a known fact that fruits and vegetables are healthy for you. Unfortunately, many people struggle with eating the amounts of fruits and vegetables necessary for their body's health. Follow recipes that contain large amounts of each, and try to have a colorful plate of food at each meal. This doesn't mean you have to eat foods you don't like, but incorporate the healthy foods you do like into every meal you eat.

Purchase fresh produce and meat. Fresh foods are always recommended over highly processed boxed and canned foods.

Processed foods contain high amounts of added salt and sugar, which often overpowers or removes the necessary nutrients in the food, such as vitamins and minerals. Since fresh foods don't contain additives, they are the healthier option, decreasing the possibility of overconsumption of sodium and sugar. I try to purchase and cook with as much fresh produce as possible to ensure I receive the healthiest option in my food.

Avoid eating out. While going out to a restaurant is okay in moderation, try not to fall into the habit of doing it multiple times a week. When eating out, you have a high chance of excessive portions and consuming foods or beverages with high sugar and caloric values. Preparing your meals allows you to know what you're putting into your body and how much you're consuming. Cooking well-balanced meals for yourself regularly ensures you feed your body everything it needs, creating a healthy and maintainable diet.