Every year, people around the world participate in the age-old tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. Yet every year, most people give up on their resolutions after a few short weeks. In fact, according to a recent study, only 40-46% of people will be successful at maintaining their resolutions after six months.
It’s time for a new approach. Instead of making a list of hard-to-manage goals for 2024, why not opt for a reset instead? This fresh perspective might just help you succeed!
Nutrition and health are almost always included in any list of resolutions. Whether you want to make healthier meals, lose weight or eat in a more plant-based way, resetting the way you approach mealtime can make a big difference. Instead of far-reaching goals, make bitesize action plans that contain easy, doable tasks you will be comfortable accomplishing. Below are action plans you can implement now to reset eating patterns and create healthier meals.
Reset Your Approach to the Hectic Dinner Rush
Meal planning and prep will eliminate the struggle to figure out what’s for dinner. Pick a day to plan meals for the week ahead and then shop for the ingredients. Although this may seem time-consuming and somewhat challenging, it will save you plenty of aggravation later in the week. All you will have to do is throw the ingredients together to make the meals you planned.
You don’t have to overcomplicate your meals, either. A bag of frozen broccoli that you can steam in the microwave is a nutritious side and a great time-saver. Likewise, a rotisserie chicken can be easily shredded and used to make chicken tacos or a simple chicken soup.
Clean Your Pantry, Refrigerator and Freezer
Give these storage spaces a reset so that you know what ingredients you already have on hand. Get rid of expired staples. Organize your shelves so ingredients are readily accessible. Stock up on ready-to-make ingredients that will help you save time.
Pantry items:
- Cans of beans, chickpeas, tomatoes, tomato sauce
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Granola bars
- Rice cakes
- Peanut butter
- Pretzels
- Oats
- Honey
- Raisins or dried fruit
- Whole grain pasta
- Brown rice, quinoa, barley or faro
- Whole grain cereals
Refrigerator items:
- Milk or a dairy-free alternative
- Yogurt
- Lean meats
- Cheese
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Condiments
- Cream cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Eggs
- Butter
Freezer items:
- Bags of frozen fruit
- Bags of frozen vegetables
- Whole grain bread
- Chicken
- Sausage
- Ground beef
- Butter
Explore Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Foods
There are many ways to tweak recipes to make them lighter, less caloric and more nutritious. If your family loves mac and cheese, try this recipe. If they like chicken pot pie, try this version.
Most classic comfort foods can be made healthier with lighter substitutions, and chances are no one will taste the difference. There are many swaps you can make that are easy and effective, such as cauliflower for potatoes, zucchini noodles for pasta noodles, applesauce for oils when baking, and Greek yogurt for mayonnaise.
The bottom line is that a little time spent on the front end will save you a lot of time on the back end. Planning and preparing what you eat in a week will help you and your family be healthier, save you time and alleviate stress. Reset the way you approach mealtime with the above action plan, and you will feel successful in the new year.
by Caitlin Kemmerer
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