Changing your diet can be hard. There; we said it. New foods to buy and prepare, ups and downs in your mood and energy, planning ahead, staying motivated…
But don’t worry! There are techniques you can employ to keep this potentially draining process from consuming all your energy and free time. Say hello to Recurring Foods!
Recurring Foods are excellent protection against diet change overload because:
• They already fit into your ideal meal plan
• You feel confident preparing them
• They emphasize the most important changes in your diet
• You don’t have to think about them too hard
That last part is key. There will be plenty of times when you’ll need all the willpower and energy you have to stick to your plan, so why not arm yourself with some easy wins throughout the week?
It’s also important to remember that changing your diet doesn’t have to be an all or nothing process. Long term success can be found by starting with a few simple changes, maybe 2 – 3 recurring meals a week that fit your goals. It might not seem like much, but it will lead to lasting changes if you give yourself the room and time to grow into your new habits. (This is also the best way to avoid the “I’m not ready!” melt down that comes with changing too much, too soon.)
For example, if you want to reduce your carbohydrate intake, but you’ve been relying on cornflakes, toast, and pasta your entire life, choose a dish or two with more protein and click the Favorite heart next to them. This will tell our algorithm you want to see these meals more often, but not every single day. Once you’re comfortable with these occasional high protein meals, set them up as Recurring Foods and voilà, your overall carb intake is reduced without thinking about it every day.
Lastly, give yourself time to get educated on all this. No one becomes an expert on nutrition overnight. Eat This Much has extremely detailed nutritional information for most of our foods and recipes so you can learn more about what you’re eating.
In short, Recurring Foods are a great way to get started so you make progress without getting overwhelmed. They’ll also help you pick your battles wisely.
Don’t forget to reach out if you have questions about any of this. Your success is our success, so we’re happy to help any time you need it.
Up Next – Mastering Meal Planning Part 3: Strategies to Eat the Way You Want
