So you’ve decided you want to start eating healthy and ditch the late-night snack sessions? That’s great news. First, you need to know where to begin and what little changes should be made right out of the gate. We asked PureWow Food and Wellness Director Lindsay Champion, who has been proudly drinking kale and beet smoothies since high school, to offer up her four best tips. Hint: You can still enjoy food even if you’re “dieting.”
Week 1: Load Your Pantry with Essentials
Order smart bulk staples, like beans, rice, quinoa and your favorite flavors of Well Yes! soups online. Amazon Prime Pantry is awesome for this, and much cheaper than buying smaller packages at the grocery store. (Tip: Store your grains in clear, airtight containers and put your soup cans on a nifty dispenser rack.) Plus, who doesn’t love grocery shopping without actually stepping foot in a grocery store? This stuff keeps for over a year, and if you always have it on hand, you’ll be less likely to cave and order takeout.
Week 2: Try a Food Challenge
“Vow to do a clean-eating challenge with a friend,” Lindsay suggests. We’re fans of Whole30 but if one month is too long for you, start off small at just one week and work your way up. Hold each other accountable and have a “clean cooking night” together once a week where you try new recipes. Steak skewers with chimichurri sauce, anyone? You’ll soon notice that your body no longer craves overly processed foods. So long, potato chips.
Week 3: Stay One Step Ahead of Your Cravings
Stock the fridge with 100 percent fruit popsicles. Although we recommend making them on your own (they’re so easy), you can find healthy versions at most grocery stores. Lindsay says, “These little guys will come in handy when you’re craving something sweet.”
Week 4: Arm Yourself with Knowledge
Anyone has the ability to eat clean. It’s just a matter of understanding what you’re putting in your body. Make it a point to read every ingredient label. Yes, it’s tedious but it’s really important if you want to stay on the right track. Start by looking at the serving size, since food packages typically contain more than a single serving. Oh, and if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, just put it back on the shelf.