Many of us are set in our daily routines. We eat the same meal, wear the same clothes, take the same route to work and work the same old job. But what we sometimes fail to recognize is the huge impact that our daily routines can have on our health. 
By making just a few small changes here and there — and sticking to them — you can add a significant number of years to your life. Although change isn’t always easy, it can be done. Set small goals, ease in changes one at a time, and it won’t be long before you notice a positive change to your health and mood.
Replacing a bad habit with a good habit takes time and patience. It requires several steps, from setting your goals to getting support. One of the important steps is figuring out what all of your barriers are.
What has stopped you from changing your eating habits in the past? What do you think might stop you in the future? Identifying these barriers now—and having a plan to help you get past them—will help you change bad habits into good habits.
A few key points:
- A barrier is anything that causes you to slip up in your goal to make lifestyle changes, such as changing your eating habits.
- Figuring out what those barriers are and how you can get around them can help you reach your healthy eating goals.
- When you hit a barrier, get support—from your family, friends, or doctor.
- Slip-ups are normal. Expect them, and have a plan for how to get back on track
So, the Idea of Dieting Turns You Off?
Healthy eating is not a diet. It means making changes you can live with and enjoy for the rest of your life. Diets are temporary. Because you give up so much when you diet, you may be hungry and think about food all the time. And after you stop dieting, you also may overeat to make up for what you missed.
Eating a healthy, balanced variety of foods is far more satisfying. And if you match that with more physical activity, you are more likely to get to a healthy weight—and stay there—than if you diet.
How do you make healthy eating a habit?
First, think about your reasons for healthier eating. Do you want to improve your health? Do you want to feel better? Are you trying to set an example for your kids? Next, think about some small changes you can make. Pick ones you can keep doing. Don’t try to change everything at once.
To those in the nutritional know, foods with naturally occurring (soluble & insoluble) fiber have long been considered some of the healthiest. Studies (and common sense) have shown that they’re essential to good nutrition and fighting off disease.
“Think of insoluble fiber like exercise equipment,” says Dr. Susan Mitchell, a dietitian and the emcee of Dr. Susan Mitchell’s Weekly Nutrition Podcast. “It exercises the digestive tract, which helps to keep it healthy and helps move food along in the digestive process while preventing constipation“. Soluble fiber, you could say, is more like a sponge.
The bottom line? You need them both to keep your gastrointestinal system in shape.
Ideally, the average woman should consume about 25 grams per day, and the average man should consume 38 grams per day. But, if you’re not getting enough, don’t go rushing toward those fiber-fortified products. High-fiber foods are easy to come by, so you should be able to get what you need by simply tweaking your diet. Instead of buying into a quick fix, you’ll be able to make lasting changes.
Set an easy goal you can reach, like having a salad and a piece of fruit each day. Make a long-term goal too, such as having one vegetarian dinner a week.
Where can you get support?
Having support from others can be a huge help. The more support you have, the easier it will be to make changes. Ask family and friends to practice healthy eating with you. Have them help you make meals, and share healthy, delicious recipes and cooking tips.
Here’s a fun set of tools that you may find useful!
If you need more help, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian.
Look online for products that support healthy eating and share healthy living success stories.
