Do you find it difficult to maintain healthy eating habits? Remember that small changes, made over time, can add up.
Whether you are planning meals to prepare at home or making choices when eating out, it is important to find a healthy eating style that you can stick with.
“To make lasting, healthy changes to your eating habits, it’s important to start small,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Caroline Passerrello. “A registered dietitian nutritionist can help you develop personalized solutions that will keep you healthy and allow you to continue to enjoy your favorite foods throughout your life.”
Passerrello offers these easy ways to improve your dietary habits.
• Choose Healthier Options When Cooking at Home. “Eating a variety of healthy foods across and within all food groups helps reduce the risk of preventable lifestyle-related chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity,” says Passerrello. “Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, lean proteins and oils.”
• Find Healthy Options When Dining Out. “Finding healthy options in restaurants today is easier than ever,” says Passerrello. “Most restaurants offer healthful options. Look for steamed or grilled items, and ask for dips, sauces, and cheese on the side. To-go boxes can help with portion control. Eat half your meal at the restaurant and take half home.
• Set a Good Example for Your Children. Parents are the most significant role models for their kids. “Modeling healthy eating habits starts in the kitchen,” says Passerrello. “Involving your child in cooking with age-appropriate chores, serving balanced meals with a variety of nutrient-rich foods, and enjoying dinner together as often as possible are some of the things you can do to help your family pay attention to their eating habits. .”
• Consult a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. “A healthy lifestyle is more than choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables. While that is important, it is also important to make informed food choices based on your individual health and nutritional needs,” says Passerrello. “A registered dietitian nutritionist can educate you and guide your food choices while keeping your tastes and preferences in mind. They are able to separate fact from fad and translate nutritional science into information you can use.” To find a registered dietitian nutritionist in your area, visit eatright.org.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website also includes articles, recipes, videos, and educational resources to spread the message of good nutrition and an overall healthy lifestyle to people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Paying attention to your eating habits can improve your family’s overall health and well-being
