Transform Your Diet: 5 Easy Changes for Long-Term Health Success
Eating well is no mystery to University Health Registered Dietitian Shelley Slavens. Day after day, she helps patients create healthy habits to nourish their bodies. Slavens' simple advice? “Whatever changes you make today, you need to be able to do tomorrow, next week, and next year.”
To stay on track, Slavens recommends following these simple steps:
- Add one vegetable to every meal. The brighter and deeper the color of that vegetable, the more nutrients it contains. So, even if your vegetable is a starch, like a potato, picking a sweet potato over a russet is a good start.
- Add a piece of fruit each day. Enjoy it as a snack or dessert.
- Follow the protein, starch, and vegetable rule. Half of your plate should be filled with vegetables. A quarter of your plate should have a lean protein, and the other quarter should be your starch.
- Stay hydrated. Aim for 64 ounces of water daily. If that sounds overwhelming, break it down: You work eight hours, so have a cup of water every hour.
- Incorporate healthy snacks. Make sure you consume a healthy meal every four to five hours.
Slavens said once you’ve consistently added an extra vegetable to each meal for a few months, it’s time to think about how much protein you’re eating. A healthy amount can keep you feeling fuller, longer.