Did you start the year intending to overhaul your diet? Eat “healthier”? Eliminate sugar and junk food? If so, how is that going? Often those who try that, especially if they attempt to do it all at once, become bored, BORED, BORED!
Deciding to change your diet and improve your nutrition is an admirable step, but it can be difficult to stick to a new eating plan if you find that new healthy food “boring.” You might quickly lose interest in eating meals full of fruits and vegetables while limiting the foods you used to love. (McDonald’s French fries, maybe?)
The good news is, there are plenty of ways that you can make your new diet interesting. The more interested you are, the more likely you are to continue long-term.
Here are a few ways that you can keep a balanced diet interesting and prevent yourself from becoming bored.
Drinking Shakes or Juices
The thought of adding fruits and vegetables to every meal really shouldn’t make you shudder, but if it does, there are other ways to get your vitamins and minerals. The easiest way to get all those important nutrients is by making shakes and juices that are loaded with them.
One great thing about making your own shakes and juices is the serving size. Rather than having to eat several cups of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, you can get the same amount of nutrients in an 8 or 16-ounce beverage.
You also have full control over the ingredients you use and the nutrients you take in. That means you can try out new recipes with your favorite fruits and vegetables rather than be bored by the same old thing every day.
Focus on Variety
One of the most common reasons that people give up on their diets is monotony. Though there are certain foods and beverages that’ll help to improve your health and nutritional intake, it can be incredibly boring to eat and drink the same few items every day.
That’s why variety is so important! There’s no shortage of healthy foods and beverages and there are virtually unlimited recipes to keep you interested in your diet and health.
The best way to implement variety into your diet is by doing your own research and compiling a comprehensive list of recipes that you can consume while on your diet. In addition to learning about new foods that you didn’t even know you liked, you’ll always have something new to look forward to!
Leave Room for Fun
Starting a new diet usually means leaving your favorite foods in the past, especially if they were full of salt, fat or sugar. While you know it’s for your own good, it’s completely normal to crave these foods every once in a while, even if you’re on a strict diet.
Your body requires food and beverages to stay alive, but it’s also common to find enjoyment in what you’re eating and drinking. A new diet doesn’t always mean you have to eat healthy 100% of the time.
It’s okay to leave some room for fun when it comes to your new diet as long as you do it in moderation. That means allowing yourself to eat some of your favorite foods, as long as you’re not doing so every day or seriously setting yourself and your new diet back.
Final Thoughts
When you think about nutrition, you may think you’ll have to swap out your entire current diet and replacing it with nutrient-dense foods. Even though that would undoubtedly improve your health, you might find it boring and it could negatively impact your relationship with food. That’s why it’s so important to keep your new diet interesting and something you can stick to.
