This post may contain affiliate links. These help support this website.
Over the past few years, I have had so many readers reach out to me asking: How do I start eating healthier?
Many of these readers have been diagnosed with an auto-immune disease (which we share so much information on here at Chemistry Cachet), some just want to lose weight, others want to feel better and have more energy.
No matter what your reason is, the big question is still how do I start eating healthier?
Over the next few months, we are starting a fun new guide for you called a Chemistry Based Healthy Living Guide.
Since I am chemist, I love sharing the reasoning behind why you do things plus why it is so effective. Chemistry is the base of healthy living, so this makes this particular guide super easy to follow and full of truth.
The first part of healthy living, is how do I start eating healthier. So, let’s start!
PIN THIS: How Do I Start Eating Healthier?
Make Small Changes
When I began my lifestyle change 12 years ago, it started off very small! Scientist have proven this fact for decades. The smaller you start, the better success you will have in the long run. This article written for Forbes talks about how small differences make huge impacts, even when it comes to money, government, or life.
The reason small changes are successful is it makes consistency easier to achieve, which is the most important part of living healthy.
So, instead of redoing everything at once, take the scientific approach and make one change today.
The first change I made 12 years ago when I started researching more chemistry behind food and healthy living was I switched to grilled chicken. Instead of getting friend chicken or greasy hamburgers when we went out, I started always ordering grilled chicken. I said to everyone I just loved grilled chicken (which I didn’t at first, but now I love it).
This was the only thing I did for a year, but then I started doing more once I realized I could do it.
Stock Your Pantry Well
Start making change to your pantry too. These can be part of your small change. Make sure you have dozens of healthy options to grab for instead of unhealthy ones. Keep nuts, healthy protein bars, healthy chocolate, healthy cooking staples, and things like this always on hand.
We are constantly sharing the best options for packaged foods that are healthy, so be sure to follow us on Instagram.
In the healthy living class I taught last summer, this was a huge point we discussed that really made a difference for people.
Add in More Fruits and Vegetables
One of the easiest answers to how do I start eating healthier is fruits and vegetables! Natural foods like fruits and vegetables are full of so many beneficial ingredients, they should be huge part of your diet.
If you can’t stand either one, start off by doing smoothies. This was another change I started doing years ago when I wanted to change my lifestyle for rheumatoid arthritis. The chemistry in these items is so intricate and helpful for so many health issues, it is a must for healthy living.
Want to know more benefits of fruits and vegetables? Here are a few chemistry tips:
Why Pineapple is Fantastic for Your Health
The Importance of Vitamin K Plus Where to Get it From
Why Lemon is Amazing for your Health
Invest in a Good Blender
The easiest way to eat more fruits and vegetables is with smoothies! A big healthy smoothie is the perfect way to start the day plus you can get all the basics like healthy fats, carbs, protein, supplements, and more in one drink.
Try our favorite anti-inflammatory smoothie!
Having a good blender is a game changer. When I started making smoothies, I had an old blender that didn’t do a good job of blending anything. Chunky smoothies are the worst! This is the one I use now and LOVE IT!!! You can do so many awesome things with this blender including food processing. It is also affordable compared to many.
Keep Healthy Drinks on Hand
Having fun drinks to sip on throughout the day will help keep your healthy eating on track too.
My favorites:
Coffee (Iced or Hot). This post explains the health properties of coffee.
Start Working on Sugar
Most of our readers have told me sugar is the hardest thing for them to limit in their diet. First, read this post about natural sugar vs table sugar. There is a big difference in sugar sources, so it is important to know what is what.
Try using honey when you can. Raw honey has fantastic health benefits, read about them in this post. It is sweet and good for you too.
If you want to go sugar-free, try stevia, but make sure it is the GOOD kind. Read this important post about stevia to make sure you use the correct kind.
Eat Healthy Snacks
It is surprising how many “healthy” labeled snacks are at the store, but in reality are FAR from good.
I published this post last summer on how to read labels and what to avoid in your packaged foods. Be sure to check that post out to make sure you keep good things on hand.
And for protein bars (which I love), but sure to check out my favorite list here. I also share new fun stuff on Instagram constantly, so follow along there for more ideas.
Be sure to follow me on pinterest too. I am always pinning healthy tips!
And my website page has all of our health tips too!
Everything in Moderation
The last part of today’s post is another easier tip anyone can start today! The most important thing to remember is moderation. When I taught this healthy living class last summer, many who attended were worried about things they have eaten in the past or things they just love.
I told them, it’s okay to enjoy your favorite things occasionally. Scientifically, small doses of certain things really won’t do anything. If coke is your absolute favorite, just enjoy one once a week. Or if you love French fries, have a few once or twice a month when you go out.
With moderation also comes portion size. Just keep your portions in check with anything you indulge in and don’t worry too much about it.
My favorite thing in the world is movie theater popcorn. So when we go to the movies, my husband and I share popcorn (no butter). I just love it! But I only have it about once a month or less. It is truly my guilty pleasure 🙂
[Tweet “#chemistry based #healthy eating guide! Perfect for beginners! #health”]
This chemistry based healthy living guide is perfect for beginners! If you have ever wondered, How do I start Eating Healthier?, then I hope this post has helped!
We have more coming up in this series, so follow us for the next installment!
Follow on Facebook | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Hometalk
Linking with Met Monday and these link parties!
I am a nurse who has worked in addiction for a long time. Years ago I noted that heavy/long-term etoh drinkers there was a marked lowering of diagnosis of chrrioss of the liver in coffee drinkers vs non coffee drinkers.
My observations span 30 Years. My conclusion is that your liver likes coffee and since the liver is pretty much the body’s garbage grinder (for toxins) it is best to keep it happy and healthy.
I completely agree! My grandmother is 88 now and she was a heavy coffee drinker pretty much her entire life. Her health is good for the most part, but she had to stop coffee last year due to some vascular issues.
Your post are so awesome, love this one! This makes it seem so much more doable to eat healthier which I struggle with all the time. Thank you!
Thank you! I am so happy to hear this 🙂 It really makes a difference starting slow and small!
Thanks so much for this post. I’ve been doing a weight loss program (through the hospital) for a year now and I still have trouble with some of these things. I need to see if I’m allowed to use smoothies – it’s a pretty strict diet. LOL
-Lauren
IT is definitely tough. So many people struggle the most with sugar! I really love smoothies, they give so much energy and good for inflammation too 🙂
Great tips! Yes to making small changes and everything in moderation. Although I did not heed this over the holidays, it’s usually how I go about my every day diet. I also try to stick to just water and coffee until the occasional adult beverage <3
Green Fashionista
Moderation is such a good one. And sticking with those drinks is always a good idea! 🙂
I love your tip to start small. Most of us fail because we decide to go completely Paleo or vegan or whatever right from day 1! That might be totally unrealistic. Those small steps, like adding more fruits and veggies, are so much more attainable. Great post!
It really makes such a difference starting small! I think that is everyone’s hardest thing. Thanks Jenny!