4 Easy Ways to Clean up Your Nutrition

Most of us are looking for ways we can be more healthy, but making radical dietary changes seems like an imaginable feat for some, and this can leave you discouraged to not make any changes at all. I would agree, giving your eating an entire overhaul can be a lot of work (though totally worth it, and I think it's important you explore that too for your long term health overall!) You need be thoughtful about everything you are preparing and make sure it's in alignment with the new plan, and in time all this becomes second nature. But if you are feeling like you don't have the time to spend on a total overhaul, here are a few things you can do right now to make your day-to-day healthier to take care of your body.[gallery ids="834,835,836,837" columns="4"]

1. Drink more water- most of us don't get enough water, no where near enough in fact. I still have to make a conscious effort everyday to make sure I am drinking as much as I need. The general rule has always been as you heard- 8 cups of water per day. But there is actual even a more individualized number than that. Easiest method: take your weight and divide it by 2/3. That's how many ounces you should be drinking daily. Other things you should take into consideration when you are thinking about how much water you need to drink: if you drink other drinks than water, those don't count. If you are exercising, you should drink more water to help re-hydrate your body, and if you live in a hotter climate, naturally you should be drinking more water.  Also, another tip I use... if you feel hungry, your body might just be thirsty, so have a big glass of water and see if you are still hungry after that.
2. Drink your coffee black- I will never in the entire world, EVER listen to anyone who tells me to give up coffee, I love it too much, but there are ways you can make your coffee healthy and better for you. I used to drink my coffee triple triple, with cream. That was at my most unhealthy. The first change I made was to milk instead, then it was double double, then it was regular, now I LOVE my coffee black. The less additives that you have in your coffee, the more beneficial it is for your health.
3. Eat more veggies- green, leafy and delicious. Incorporate them into any meal that you can. Here are some of the ways I try to get my veggies in: scrambled eggs with sauteed spinach, servings any dinner on a bed of spinach, chopping kale up very fine and adding it to soups I am making, half cauliflower when I am making mashed potatoes or shepherds pie, always having veg for snack (and not with a dip, just on their own). The possibilities are endless!
4. Eat less carbohydrates- We all know the formula- take in less calories than you burn. It's that simple. And although I am not one for counting calories I am mindful of the amount of starchy carbs I eat within the day. I try to limit it to only one meal if I am going to have them ( this is even a more recent thing, because I used to eat a carb serving for breakfast). Carbohydrates do serve your body with energy, which is why I am not saying to cut them all together, but I do think it's important to monitor the amount that you are taking in throughout the day. Carbs are also not only bread products,. They can be found in vegetables: which is where you want to really be careful. Starchy vegetables like: corn, peas, potatoes, squash, sweet potato (although these veggies are good for you!) are carb servings- so keep that mind when you are planning your meals. 

So there you have it, 4 things that you can do starting tomorrow to being making steps in the healthy direction. If you would like to talk with me more about nutrition and habit changes, drop me a line, I would be happy to chat with you!Hugs and Kisses,Andrea