I admit I have spent a fair amount of time trying to incorporate into my daily routine healthy eating habits that would help me become the best version of myself. I have been constantly trying to follow a healthy diet without extreme restrictions, but I couldn’t keep up with it for a long time.

I admit I was a victim of online diets that had “proven” and “instant” results, but still, even though I followed, I lost the pace after a while.

At some point, I just quit, and in combination with the long working hours and social life, I just put the healthy lifestyle in the back of my head and never thought about it again.

However, the twists and turns of fate, here I am, working and collaborating with nutritionists on a daily basis!

In the beginning, I was handling all the info I got from them as I handled all the info I got from all my collaborators and just did my job with the purpose of offering them the optimal results.

At some point, though, I realized that since other people can manage to follow a more balanced diet, I started paying more attention to the information and tips I got from them and then began to implement them. And it worked!

Now, I can definitely say that I have been learning so many useful things that I can easily implement in my daily routine and diet, and they indeed work.

In the beginning, you may feel overwhelmed and find it challenging to keep up with. They say that it takes only 20 days to build a healthy habit; why not give it a shot then?

Enjoy your meals away from screens.

Eating without distractions from screens (TV, phones, laptops) is a practice known as mindful eating. According to nutritionists, our meal time should not be less than 20 minutes because this is when our body understands how much food it needs. When you focus solely on your meal, without any nearby distractions, you can pay better attention to what you're eating, savor the flavors, and recognize when you're full. This can help you avoid overeating and also is a very important start for a healthier relationship with food.

Avoid combining food and work.

Multitasking during meals, such as eating while sending emails or finishing this report for your manager, can lead to mindless eating. When you're not fully engaged with your meal, you may not realize how much you've consumed, which can also result in overeating. It's better to take breaks for meals to enjoy and digest your food fully. Take your favorite colleague with you and enjoy your meal over a carefree chat.

Keep your water next to you.

Hydration is essential for overall health, and it helps us keep hydrated and less hungry all the time. Keeping a water bottle within easy reach serves as a visual reminder to drink water regularly throughout the day. Adequate hydration can also help prevent overeating, as thirst is sometimes mistaken for hunger. Next time you feel like eating a cookie, try drinking some water and see what happens!

Salad should be a part of every meal.

Whatever form you prefer for your salad, don’t neglect to include a generous portion in your meals. This way, you incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Salads are typically low in calories but rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They can help fill you up, making it easier to control portion sizes of other higher-calorie foods. Just be mindful of your dressings and toppings, as they can add extra calories and fat.

We shouldn’t trust everything we find online.

This tip extends beyond nutrition but is still essential for making informed dietary choices. There is a vast amount of information about nutrition on the internet, and not all of it is accurate or evidence-based. It's essential to verify the sources of information and consult with reliable, qualified sources like registered dietitians or reputable health organizations when making significant dietary changes. If you find something online, check the source and verify that the information is provided by a professional.

Snacks can be our best friend.

Healthy snacks can indeed be your best friend when it comes to managing hunger and maintaining energy levels between meals. Opt for nutritious snacks like fruits, nuts, yogurt, or veggies with hummus. These snacks provide essential nutrients and can help prevent overeating during main meals by curbing excessive hunger. Use a drawer of your desk dedicated to your favorite (healthy) snacks.

Replacing your unhealthy habits with new healthy ones can be a bit tricky in the beginning, but all it takes is to make the decision and start making little steps toward your goal.