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We all tell ourselves that we want to eat healthier, but making the change is easier said than done. Late night cravings, convenience, and not knowing where to start are just a few of the reasons that we revert back to unhealthy foods, but these five tips will help make eating healthy easy.

Tip #1: Take it one step at a time

Making a lifestyle change isn’t going to happen overnight, it should be a gradual process. Start by cutting out soda, then replace your refined grains with whole grains, then eat a fruit or a vegetable with every meal. Just keep taking it one step at a time and you will be healthy before you know it!

Tip #2: Focus on what you can eat, not what you can’t

Look at the proverbial glass as half full. If you think about your diet as all of the things you can’t eat, it will seem torturous. Instead, focus on adding the right types of food to your daily meals: lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains. The rest will take care of itself.

Tip #3: Portion control

America suffers from portion distortion. Over the past 20 years or so, our food serving sizes have slowly increased to the point where many meals are twice the size they used to be. Know how much one real serving of food is, and don’t get fooled by what restaurants give you.

Tip #4: Make healthy meal swaps

An easy way to eat healthier is by switching unhealthy ingredients for healthy ones. It sounds simple, but it is super effective. Example swaps include whole grains for refined ones, greek yogurt for sour cream, low-fat foods for full-fat options, and so on.

Tip #5: It’s all about balance

Nobody is perfect, and that’s okay. Junk food isn’t going to kill you if you eat it in moderation. The 80/20 rule is a good rule to live by. Eat healthy 80% of the time, but don’t be scared to indulge in a small treat every once in a while.

As southern Connecticut’s largest and most experienced orthopedic practice, OSG knows a thing or two about being healthy. If you are experiencing any pain, stiffness, or discomfort in your bones or joints, schedule an appointment with one of our certified specialists by calling (203) 337-2600.