How to make healthy choices easy

The first step is to acknowledge that we have the power to make choices. Addictions take this precious privilege from us but it is time you reclaim your right to make the decisions in your life. Whether it's kicking the habit of tobacco, alcohol, chocolate, fried foods or just wanting to live in a healthier body you must train your mind to make choices. In Julia Harvey's article "Why traditional diets don't work" she presents a new definition of DIET: Discover the hidden emotional obstacles that prevent good choices. Invent new healthier choices. Extinguish the old habits. Transform into someone with a new approach to healthy living who takes charge of their life. The steps of this acronym can help with any addiction.

Here are a few tips that will help in making healthy choices a daily occurrence:

1. Only grocery shop once or twice a month sticking to a reasonable budget.
2. Make a meal calendar each month.
3. Make healthy choices fun and exciting. If you don't enjoy fruit make fruit smoothies or buy strawberries instead of cookies.
4. Have healthy snacks available. Once a week peel and cut up carrots have a bowl of nuts lying around, add a splash of lemon to your glass of water.
5. Have a ‘eating out' budget, be frugal. Once it's gone, it's gone!
6. As you make healthier choices recognize the health benefits. Do you have more energy?
7. Still indulge just have smaller portions.
8. Eat slower. Often we eat so fast we don't realize our bodies are already satisfied.
9. Eat at a dinner table. If dinner time is a time focused on eating you will feel more satisfied and full than eating on the go.
10. Walk to the store and save fuel.

They say to develop a habit it takes 30 days. Realize that you are retraining your body to live differently, be patient and enjoy the transformation.