5 simple & effective ways to prioritize healthy eating without feeling overwhelmed

Eating healthier should make your life easier, not harder. Here are 5 simple and effective ways you can prioritize healthy eating without the added stress.

All the yummy veggies

You know when you have that thing on your to-do list that you know you should do and want to do, but for some reason, you always seem to prioritize other things that seem more important in the moment? Whether it’s getting to the gym more often or staying connected with your long-distance friends, you know these activities will fill you up, but taking the time to do them can feel daunting. Eating healthy seems to be one of those habits that everyone wants to adopt, but time, energy, mental space, or motivation often seem to be missing. Healthy eating, while simple in theory, is a lot harder to put into action.

Today, I want to share with you 5 things you can do to prioritize healthy eating, without feeling overwhelmed by the task. When I first started trying to eat healthier, I made it way harder than it needed to be. I always seemed to choose these fancy recipes that took over an hour to prepare and I had all of these strict rules for myself about what I could and couldn’t eat. If I am being honest with you, it was absolutely exhausting! After a bit of trial and error along my journey to a healthier life, I realized that finding a harmonious balance is far more beneficial to my health than any strict regimen could ever be.

5 simple & effective ways to prioritize healthy eating

1. Add a fruit or veggie to every meal

2. Always have a balanced snack on hand

3. Pre-made and prepped options are your friend

4. Opt for an extra serving of veggies when eating out

5. Follow the rule of 80/20

1. Add a fruit or veggie to every meal

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, an easy way to support your health is to add in more of the nutritious stuff instead of slipping into a limiting or scarcity mindset. Adding in fruits or veggies to every meal can support a balanced plate and provide you with an extra boost of nutrients. This also adds a burst of color which makes your meal even more appealing to the eyes. Some of my favorite fruits & veggies to add to a dish are blueberries and spinach. Both are packed with nutrients and antioxidants, while being readily available throughout the year. Add some blueberries to your salad, throw some spinach in that stir fry, your body will thank you! Now you can enjoy your favorite dishes, while striving towards a healthier lifestyle.

2. Always have a balanced snack on hand

When you are hangry, the last thing on your mind is your goal of focusing on eating healthier. Your body is signaling to you it needs energy and it needs it now, so you probably start to crave anything that is going to provide you with a lot of energy (chips, ice cream, bread, or chocolate). While all of these foods have their place in a balanced diet, they are not going to provide you with the most nutrients to fuel the rest of your day. Choosing a balanced snack means grabbing a pair of foods that include carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein. This will provide your body with the energy it needs without providing you with a crash shortly after you snack.

Some great snacks that I often lean towards are:

• an apple + almond butter

• carrots + hummus

• a handful of nuts + a meat stick

• a few energy balls (made with nuts & dates)

Click here for more snack ideas.

3. Pre-made and prepped options are your friend

While you might think that healthy eating means you have to make every single thing from scratch, I want to remind you that is NOT the case. Though making home-made versions of a food or sauce can be a great way to add in extra nutrients, it is not necessary to living a healthier lifestyle. Today, there are so many pre-prepped options that will allow you to achieve your goals without sacrificing the extra time that it might take to prepare a healthy dish. Leverage pre-made items to quickly pull together a healthy meal, so you can continue to support your health.

Some great pre-made items include:

• Frozen grains such as rice or quinoa

• Frozen vegetable medleys

• Frozen turkey burgers

• Pre-cut vegetables

• Pre-cooked chicken meatballs

• Canned beans

4. Opt for an extra serving of veggies when eating out

Eating out at a restaurant with friends or grabbing something on the go while on vacation are wonderful ways to enjoy new cuisine and spend time with community. Don’t feel like you have to sacrifice your goal of eating healthy or have to miss out on this experience. Instead, lean into creative ways to enjoy a meal out.

A few ways I continue eating healthy while eating out:

• Always add a protein to your dish so you can enjoy a balanced meal.

• Order a side of veggies or a salad to get in your greens.

• Request for the sauce or dressing on the side, so you can mindfully consume.

• Visit restaurants that traditionally offer healthier options (Mediterranean and Asian restaurants often have many veggies on the menu and cook with olive oil)

5. Follow the rule of 80/20

Consistently choosing healthy options is going to be far more satisfying and enjoyable than stressing about eating perfectly nourishing foods 100% of the time. If you are choosing to incorporate more healthy foods every single day, adding to your current habits, you just might be shocked at how much of a difference this can make. Instead of getting into a negative cycle of having an all-or-nothing mindset, you are able to welcome in change without it causing you to stress or spiral. I always remind myself that food is not just for nourishing the body - it’s also for connecting with others, building memories, and enjoying life.

You can prioritize living a healthier life today

Remember that achieving your goals is about far more than doing everything perfectly. It’s about consistently making decisions that support the version of yourself you are working toward. When it comes to healthy eating, you don’t have to completely change everything in a day. Realistically, you are probably have some great habits that are supporting the best version of yourself. Give yourself some grace and add in a few more greens each and every day. Small changes every day can really add up over time.

If you found this helpful, forward it to a friend who’s trying to eat healthier too!

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P.S. Want some healthy & easy meal ideas? Feel free to download 5 of my favorites that take under 30 minutes.