8 Weeks to Better Living: Eating Better + Nutrition

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Candita Clayton, GoLocalProv Lifestyle Expert

Over the past 3 weeks, since the start of the 8 Weeks to Better Living Challenge, I have had many conversations with those of you who have chosen Better Nutrition as your personal goal during the challenge.   Although weight loss is frequently the reason that motivates us to take a hard look at what we are eating, there are many good reasons to assess your nutrition for better health and energy.

Here are 5 easy tips to start eating better today.

Make a plan

Are peanut butter crackers from the vending machine your typical lunch?  You need a plan.  Everyone has to eat at some point during the day. With some nominal advance thought and a once a week trip to the grocery store, you could have a more nutritious and tasteful lunch.  A salad with some protein like chicken or tuna, a sandwich or last night’s leftovers would all make lunch something to look forward to.

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How do you feel?

Good nutrition makes us more productive.  If you are the type of person who can feel when your blood sugar is taking a dive a couple of well planned snacks will make a world of difference to your energy and focus.  Eating less more often is also a great way to maintain your energy and lose weight.

Containerize it!

There are so many great products that make it easy for you to take your food with you. I love the Fit and Fresh System that has built in cold packs for any food that requires it.  So if you don’t have access to a refrigerator, no worries.

Easy snacks

For better health avoid prepackaged foods as much as possible.  Although many brands of granola or nutrition bars are without hydrogenated oil or high fructose corn syrup, they typically have a laundry list of ingredients 20 deep.  Find a couple of snacks that you love, feel good about eating and will look forward to in the afternoon or mid morning.  My favorites: Hummus and raw vegetables, apple and peanut butter as well as cheese and a piece of fruit.

What’s for dinner

That ever plaguing question of young and old alike?  There are at least five dinners I can think of that can be made in 30 minutes or less. Pick up a few beautiful food magazines or browse the cookbook aisle at the bookstore for inspiration.  Occasionally I pull out my phone and take a picture of a inspiring recipe and then I have my shopping list with me. Here again, you need a bit of advance planning to have what you need on hand but once you get the hang of it you’ll be eating more nutritiously in no time flat. 

Please visit www.CanditaClaytonLiveBetter.com for recipes and ingredients for the well planned menu.

Candita Clayton is the founder of Your Life Organized and author of Clean Your Home Healthy. Visit her online, here.

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