5 tips for healthy eating

(BPT) - Many people make resolutions to get healthy in the new year. However, many of these resolutions fail due to lack of planning or not having realistic expectations. The wellness experts at Mayo Clinic offer five tips below to help you eat better and stay on top of your health goals for 2017 and beyond.

1. Plan

The number one thing when it comes to eating healthy is to have a plan set in place. This plan can include anything from a weekly menu/meal plan, to a grocery list/food plan and even a strategy for when you know things might get challenging like an eating out/back-up plan.

2. Track

Studies show that when individuals track food intake they have greater success when it comes to weight loss. You don’t have to stop at recording just nutrition, it can be beneficial tracking activity and sleep as well. Tracking can be as simple as a piece of paper and pencil or as structured as an online app or program.

3. Focus

Instead of trying to change everything all at once — say going to the gym every day, sleeping eight hours every night and not drinking soda all starting Jan. 1 — focus on just one or two realistic changes. For instance, try going to the gym three times a week and increasing your vegetable servings from one to two a day. Once these habits become more routine, then increase the frequency and/or add another habit.

4. Change

Another great way to help make healthy eating easier is to make a few changes to the environment. This doesn’t mean turning into the Lorax, but rather cleaning out the fridge of sugary snacks and making room for more nutritious foods, same goes for the freezer and pantry. Another area to focus on could be the desk at work and even the car. By removing tempting items and replacing them with healthier options, it will make reaching your goals a whole lot easier.

5. Perspective

Above all, keep things in perspective. Understand that healthy eating and improving health in general is not something that happens overnight. There will be slip-ups and unforeseen challenges, but tomorrow is always another day and as long as you’re consistent you will get to your destination. So enjoy the journey!

To gain more ideas on healthy eating, fitness and monitoring your health, download the Mayo Clinic App. For wellness programs and healthy lifestyle ideas, visit the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program.