Last Updated on April 13, 2022 by Latrice
One common idea is how complicated it is to eat healthy. I really do believe this is just another very effective marketing tactic.
Eating healthy really isn’t as hard, confusing, and complicated as people make it seem. But thanks to years of bad science, high-paid lobbying, and billion-dollar marketing, we’re perceiving what’s obvious and simple as super complicated and hard to figure out. (That’s life though huh? Anyways…)
Here are the rules I’ve learned to implement over the years to make healthy eating more concrete and straightforward in my life. Implement these and I’m sure healthy eating will get super simple for you also. No more confusion. Well, way less of it anyways.
Repeat These Words: “Healthy Eating IS EASY!”
It all starts with how we think, what we believe, and what we’re constantly saying to ourselves.
Telling yourself healthy eating is too hard, you can’t find nothing healthy you like to eat, or, my mom’s personal favorite, “damn, I can’t eat nothing,” will make healthy eating much harder than it is. And you will hold onto and find a thousand reasons as to why you can’t eat healthy.
Cut all of that out by reminding yourself that healthy eating is easy. Also, keep in mind and constantly tell yourself that healthy eating makes you feel way better than eating bull shit. Counter “this is hard” type of thinking with “this is easy” ideas.
Tell yourself things that’ll support your goals including how easy it is to eat healthy.
In working to overcome binge eating, I’ve found I tell myself that I wish I could eat like regular people (whatever that means) or I say it’s not fair that I have to cut out foods I think taste really good.
I’ve started countering these thoughts with reminders of how sick and unhealthy I was because I ate like “regular” people. Or I give thanks for being fortunate enough to have the knowledge of and access to high-quality, nutrient-dense foods. I changed my thinking.
A Simple List of Foods I Do and Don’t Eat
There’s a simple list of things I don’t eat and know for damn sure are not healthy to eat. There is no if, ands, or buts about them. I know they’re trash, make me feel miserable, and really aren’t worth the “but life is too short” jive. Life is shorter with them.
Then there’s a really simple list of things I do eat. If it was grown or raised humanely, ethically, naturally, with a proper diet, and free of chemicals, I eat it. Sounds complicated, but I ensure you it’s pretty simple. If eating humanely raised seems like a reach for you, then go for real foods period. They don’t have to be organic. Just more real.
The easiest rule to follow when learning to eat healthier and make it simple is to keep your diet real. Only eat real foods of fruits, vegetables, meats, fats, roots, and nuts. Some people still eat rice and beans even. Keep your diet real.
Seriously… Plan Ahead and Cook Ahead
This advice is old as dirt and said in so many ways. Why? I bet it’s because planning ahead really does work. It helped my ass out.
My healthy food used to go bad. I was spending money on groceries and then buying fast-food because I was “too busy” to pack my meals. I was also buying way too much food.
Then I got to making my lists and cooking once a week. Changed. My. Life.
Honestly, if you want to get more time during your days, do as much as you can ahead of time. Rather that’s cooking, washing clothes, writing content, or getting errands done. If you can get those things done once a week instead of once a day, do that.
This saves time, frees up more time, gets things done, and helps you better reach your goals.
Planning ahead makes healthy eating simple because the hard part of choosing and prepping is done. Being too busy or too tired or too confused to eat healthy is hard to do when the food is already made and ready to go besides maybe some heating.
Conclusion
Start by giving yourself a solid affirmation, or a few affirmations if needed, that healthy eating is easy and for you. Thinking and telling yourself healthy eating is hard is truly what makes healthy eating hard. If you’re ready to start eating healthy, tell yourself it’s easy.
Have a simple list of foods you do eat and a simple list of foods you don’t eat. According to what’s healthy for humans, real foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, roots, meats, and natural fats) are good to put on your list of foods you do eat. Foods that are heavily processed, fake and toxic don’t belong on your list. Capeesh?
Beat your excuses by planning ahead. Cooking and meal prep once a week is like one of those old-as-time fitness tips. It’s that way because it works.
