12 Tips for Healthy Eating in 2022

Eat healthier. It’s a popular New Year’s resolution for a lot of people. If you want to change your diet to improve your health or lose weight, it sounds like a good idea. Right?

But HOW do you eat healthier? For most of us, it’s doing the right things enough times until eating healthier becomes a habit.

Need a little help to eat healthier in 2022? Check out these 12 ways to improve your diet and eating habits:

1. Don’t skip meals

Yes, intermittent fasting is a popular trend. But it has some drawbacks. Mainly, if you go without eating for more than about four hours, blood sugar drops, cravings spike, and you’re a lot more likely to overeat.

Not sure what to eat? Check out these popular MagicKitchen.com meals.

2. Chew your food

If you’re in the habit of scarfing down and meal, and then dashing off to do something else, you’re not alone.

Here’s the thing about eating fast. Your brain needs about 20 minutes to get the message you just ate dinner. When you eat fast, you’re more likely to overeat.

Instead, take a bite. Put down your fork. Chew your food. Even have a conversation with others at the table. Then take another bite.

3. Read food labels

Every MagicKitchen.commeal includes the Nutrition Facts Label with details about serving size, calories, macronutrients, and ingredients.

If you want to lose weight, set a daily calorie goal and keep track.

You’ll also want to read food labels if you need to follow a certain diet and avoid things like gluten, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.

4. Give your fridge and pantry a makeover

We’re not talking about a remodel here. If you’re trying to eat healthier, you need to stock up on healthier foods and get rid of the junk.

Take a closer look at what you’ve got in your fridge, pantry, and cupboards. And get rid of the kind of junk foods that won’t help you eat healthier, like potato chips, ice cream, candy, etc.

There’s nothing wrong with having a treat now and then. But it’s not a bad idea to start with cutting them out of your diet for a little while.

Once you get rid of the junk, stock up on healthier snacks and meals.

5. Eat more fruits and vegetables

Did you know only 12 percent of adults in the U.S. eat the minimum recommended amount of fruit (1.5 to 2 cups)? And only 9 percent of adults eat enough vegetables (2-3 cups)?

You can do better. About half your plate should include fruits and vegetables at every meal.

6. Eat more whole grains

They’re high in fiber, help regular blood sugar levels, and lower the risk for heart disease. If you’re allergic to Gluten, there’s other whole grains you can eat that won’t cause problems.

7. Make a fruit smoothie or parfait

Get and blender and toss in some leafy greens, a banana, and berries. Add some yogurt, ice and maybe a little milk or water. Blend it up, and enjoy a nutrient-packed smoothie. Or add some fresh fruit to a cup of Greek yogurt.

8. Avoid fad diets

“Lose weight” is the most popular New Year’s resolution people make. And weight-loss hucksters know it. So watch out for fad diets.

Most promise massive weight loss in a short amount of time and often require restrictive dieting. This isn’t healthy and it isn’t sustainable.

A better option, eating a mix of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean meats and fish.

If you want to change your diet to lose weight, check out the Portion-Control meals made with fresh ingredients and ready to eat in minutes. 

9. Manage stress in healthy ways

FYI…stress eating or emotional eating might make you feel better. But it isn’t a healthy way to manage stress. It can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

If you’re feeling stressed out, try something else before you reach for food, like going for a walk, 5 minutes of deep breathing, or even journaling.

10. Eat breakfast

Eating a healthy breakfast, and help you avoid bingeing later on. Skip the drive-thru, energy-drinks, sugar-loaded coffee, and donuts, and eat something healthier.

Check out these MagicKitchen.com breakfast options.

11. Be a vegetarian for a day

Maybe you’re not following a vegan or vegetarian diet. That’s OK. However, research shows following a plant-based diet supports weight management and lowers the risk for chronic disease. Check out these MagicKitchen.com vegetarian meals.

12. Cook at home more often

To do this, you’ll need to plan some healthy meals you can prepare at home. Then get the right ingredients at the grocery store. If that sounds like too much work, just pick your favorite MagicKitchen.com mealsall made from fresh ingredients, and we’ll do the rest.

Here’s to a Happy New Year of healthy eating.