After a tumultuous year with the global pandemic, being and staying healthy is a top priority for the coming year. But establishing healthy habits can be hard. With all the moving parts of day-to-day life, we tend to rely on what is convenient instead of what is best. Especially when it comes to food. Having an organized kitchen makes achieving these healthy habits easier. By facilitating healthy choices, the best option becomes the most convenient one as well.
Prepackage Your Snacks
Prepackaged snacks, though easy and convenient, are normally really processed and packed full of salt and sugar. They can be tempting to grab because sometimes you just don’t have time to make something to eat. Enter homemade prepackaged snacks. By portioning out and packaging your snacks, not only do you get to customize what goes inside but how much. Based on your health and fitness goals, knowing exactly what you’re eating and how much is important. You can personalize your fruit and nut mix in Ziploc bags. Or hard-boil some eggs and put them in small containers. By having these snacks ready to go in a minute, you won’t think twice about grabbing them over the bag of chips or sugary granola bars. If you’re a busy parent, this is a lunch hack that will help both you and your child live a healthier life.
Easy Access To Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are some of the best foods we can put in our bodies. Yet, as a country, the United States is lacking. 90% of Americans do not meet the recommended goal of 2 to 3 cups of fruits and vegetables per day. Having easy access to fruits and vegetables in your fridge is the first step to incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your life. Start by finding containers that fit on the shelf that is closest to your eye-line. Research shows we tend to reach for the first thing we see when we are hungry. After selecting where the produce will go, begin to prep it. Prewash your fruits so they’re ready to eat when you grab them. Peel and chop your vegetables for snacking and for cooking. You’re more likely to cook some fresh vegetables if half the prep work is already done. To prevent food waste, make sure you keep the most perishable items at the front. Some people put together an “eat first” bin in their fridge where they put the produce that’s closest to expire.
Pamper Your Pantry
If you’re anything like me, the pantry is your weakness. All the sweet and salty treats can be hard to resist. The first step in organizing your pantry for optimal health is to purge it. Take out all the snacks and sweets that you’re trying to avoid and either toss them out or put them in a separate area that you’re less likely to gravitate to. Out of sight, out of mind is effective when it comes to making better choices. When choosing which snacks to keep, look for items that are healthier but still satisfy a craving whether it’s something crunchy, sweet, or salty. Instead of potato chips, try crunchy baked chickpeas or green pea crisps. For sweets, try freeze-dried strawberries and bananas for a little sweetness. If you’re a chocolate fiend, look for options that are lower in sugar. Similar to the produce, place the foods you want to eat right at your eye-line.
Spice Up Your Life
Herbs and spices are some of the best ways to make your food taste better without adding extra salt, fat, and sugar. Live herbs can offer a freshness that is unmatched compared to the dried ones that you find at the grocery store. When it comes to organizing spices, there are a few trains of thought. You can opt to arrange them alphabetically so you know where to find each one. Or, if you know which spices you use most, arrange them from most used in the front to least used in the back. If you’re a fan of herbs, consider organizing a place in your kitchen for a small herb garden. Unlike other plants, herbs are relatively easy to grow and low maintenance, aside from a watering schedule. Having fresh herbs on hand is a motivator to get into the kitchen and cook up something healthy. Herbs are great for salad dressings, to put in dishes, and on top of dishes.
Bottom Line
Healthy eating can be hard. Especially if our habits lean more towards unhealthy choices. Organizing your kitchen is the best way to promote healthy eating for yourself and other people in your household. These tips should be a solid foundation for a healthier diet. Depending on your eating habits, there may be some that work better than others. As you experiment with different organization methods, you may even find new ones that work even better. As humans, we are creatures of habit. And the hardest part is just getting started.
