How To Eat a Bit Better

Take a look at what you already eat. Open your fridge, or cupboard. What's if full of? Pepsi? Pop Tarts? Make a list of all the non-healthy foods in your kitchen. Candy, soft-drinks, that box of Lucky Charms cereal...anything that has a high sugar content that isn't natural fruit. Look for foods that have a high amount of sodium and saturated fat. You can look on the sides of most boxed and canned goods to help you out. Keep an eye on the product's definition of a "serving" as well.

As your looking through your food items, throw out anything that's past its 'best before' date. A lot of times, something can get shoved to the back of the cupboard or fridge and forgotten about. This can lead to a crowded fridge that's stuffed full, but all the good stuff is shoved behind something else. It can seem overwhelming. Standing there, you can start to think "Jeez, there's too much in here...I don't know what I can do with all of it' or 'I can't see what I want', so you'll just order a pizza. Organize your fridge, and make sure you can see everything in it.

For two days, count your calories. It seems terrible, I know, but it will help you find out how much you're eating. For items like an apple, which doesn't have a 'calories number' on the side, check on the internet and see if you can find a website that tells you. Weightlossforall.com is a fantastic site sporting a bunch of items and their calories listed, and even links at the bottom to more items. Thecaloriecounter.com is another good one, and even gives you the facts you would normally see on boxed or canned goods.

Have another look at that 'junk food' list. Now that you know how much above or below your recommended calories you're eating, and your fridge is clean, you can decide if you really need that Pepsi everday (cutting that out of your diet alone can get you big health points!), or if you really need that box of sugary cereal. Chances are, you really don't. And when you get rid of them, in a couple days, you'll feel ten times better! Don't worry, I'm not cutting you off completly. This is where step five comes in.

Go shopping. Go to the grocery store, and find healthy substitutes for the junk you threw away. Buy corn flakes, and a bit of organic sugar. Sprinkle a teaspoon of sugar over it for breakfast. Buy organic dark chocolate; the darker, the better! Try out some fruits, which will satisfy your craving for sugar in an all-natural way. Mangos, apples, strawberries...there are tons out there, and it's easy to find ones you like.

Oh, and of course, never do this when your hungry, because you'll buy more stuff you don't really need. Get creative! Experiment with your lunch and try a 'chicken ranch veggie wrap' (very tasty and very healthy). Instead of Coke or Pepsi, try buying some juice and adding just a tablespoon of club soda. Your options are endless!