GET YOUR 5 A DAY -- FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

 

- Try eating a piece of fruit right before your meals. You don't have to do this every day but it helps with portion control and it helps you get into the habit of getting your fruit and vegetables. Try to do it for 3 days.

 

- Eat fruit and yogurt for breakfast. Yes, Breakfast, don't you dare skip it.

 

- Salad. A lot of people love salads but just don't get into making them. Well there are a few choices. You can make them, you can buy precut and prewashed and mix together or you can buy them already made. However you do it is up to you, your time and your budget. The point is to do them. Try to eat a salad every day. Try salads as a meal with grilled chicken. Try a side salad as an alternate to starchy side dishes.

 

- Vegetable tray. I love chopped vegetables and crudites. They are crunchy which makes a satisfying snack and they are super healthy. Only issue I have with them is actually the preparation. So I buy a precut vegetable tray every week and WOW, the vegetables get eaten and when you feel like a snack, there is one right in front of you in the fridge. Just pull it out and eat it.

 

WATER

 

- Staying hydrated is critical but many people just can't get their water in. So maybe if you can't do it, try herbal tea. I make a big pitcher of herbal tea every night. Always ends up with somebody in our house drinking it. Herbal tea is a great alternative. And many are flavored (orange, raspberry, peppermint) and they do not have caffeine and no calories.

 

- Does your tap water taste funny? Is bottled water too expensive or inconvenient. Then maybe you should try a water purifying jug for the fridge. They are around $20 and you now have clean cold water right at your fingertips.

 

- Can't get over the plain water. A pitcher of water in the fridge with some orange or lemon slices is a nice choice if you don't like herbal tea or plain water.

 

- Crystal Lite makes little one serving sizes that go right into the water bottle. These are a good alternative for "on-the-go" options if they make you pick a water instead of something else.