10 Tips for Healthy Food Choices in the new year

Here are 10 tips for healthy food choices in the new year. It’s easy to incorporate better eating habits when you know what to look for. Read on for some tips below.

You don’t have to change everything over night. Make these informed choices during your shopping trip for the week ahead.

Eating healthier this year doesn’t mean you have to completely change your life, or even go on a “diet.” It simply means that you decide to make some smarter choices when you shop at the grocery store, and follow a few “tricks” to help train your brain.

I’ll never give up my party food appetizers or occasional desserts, but I am trying to get back on track with better eating habits.

For years we followed a streamlined meal plan of lean proteins, lots of steamed vegetables & salads, and whole grains. We exercised and followed this eating plan 5 days a week. On weekends we ate whatever we wanted because we were usually entertaining. And we were in the best shape of our lives!

While dinners consisted of the plan above, breakfast and lunch was similar in composition but quicker and easier to prepare. Like these Healthy Choice Morning, as well as their Vegan &  Vegetarian power bowls which you can purchase in stores or online HERE. The varieties I’m highlighting are new and they are DELICIOUS.

1. Think about the variety of foods you CAN eat rather than what you can’t eat.

Variety is the key to a healthy balanced diet. You should choose high fiber foods. Eat all the vegetables you want! Eat lean proteins, plant-based proteins, beans & lentils, whole grains, low fat dairy, and almond milk. Turn traditional fatty dishes into lighter versions like my baked spaghetti made healthier.

2. Choosing colorful foods is a great way to let your eye guide you.

The brighter foods are, the more nutritiously dense they are. Think dark green kale, spinach & broccoli, bright berries, and colorful peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets. Include this marinated green bean salad in your weekly rotation, or this butternut squash soup.

3. Use dessert or salad plates to portion meals instead of using full size dinner plates.

4. Incorporate more vegetarian meals into your weekly rotation.

These Healthy Choice Vegan and Vegetarian Power Bowls are perfect for that! All of the bowls have a base mixture of whole grains like red quinoa and whole grain barley, leafy greens like kale, chard and spinach, and proteins.

4 Reasons I love them:

1. Most importantly they taste amazing!
2. The bowls they’re packaged in are environmentally friendly, made with plant-based fibers that are recyclable.
3. They’re vegetarian and some are vegan.
4. They’re packed with protein and fiber.

5. Sneak in fruits and vegetables by drinking an easy homemade smoothie.

6. Experiment with exotic seasonings to add flavor, and olive oil instead of using butter.

7. Try sauteing vegetables in broth instead of cooking oil to add flavor and reduce fat.

8. Start your day with a good protein source.

9. Choose protein sources other than meat.

• Edemame
• Lentils
• Black beans, Chickpeas, Kidney beans
• Peanuts, Pistachos,
• Eggs
• Seafood like salmon, tuna,
• Greek or Icelandic yogurt
• Soy milk

These southern style pinto beans are full of flavor with no added fat.