Hello, bonita! Have you ever felt like you need to improve your diet but don’t know where to start? Let me share a little secret with you: it’s not about eating less; it’s about eating more—more variety, more nutrients, and more of the good stuff! Forget restrictive diets and cutting out your favorite treats. Instead, I’ll show you how to bring more balance to your meals by adding new, healthy foods to your plate.
Step 1: Stop Cutting, Start Adding
One of the biggest misconceptions about diet is that to eat healthier, you need to cut things out. But I say, start by adding. Cutting out foods can feel restrictive and honestly, it’s not fun. We all have foods we love—like chocolate or wine—and life is about balance, not deprivation. I could never give those up, and neither should you!
The real issue often isn’t what you’re eating, but what you’re not eating. Most of us don’t have enough variety in our diet, so we end up eating too much of the same, less nutritious things. Instead of cutting those out, focus on adding new healthy options. When you do this, you naturally eat less of the things that aren’t as good for you, simply because you’re filling up on better choices!
Step 2: Try Something New
A key part of building a healthy diet is variety. I always tell my clients: try new foods! Every time you go grocery shopping, make it a goal to come home with something you’ve never tried before, or maybe something you haven’t eaten in a long time. This doesn’t mean picking up a new snack from the processed aisle. Head to the fresh produce section and grab a vegetable you’ve never had—or haven’t had in years.
We all have foods we avoid simply because we’ve never tried them or maybe had a bad experience once. I’ll let you in on a little secret: I was terrified of beets because of their intense red color. It wasn’t until recently that I gave them a try, and while they aren’t my favorite, I can now enjoy them in salads. By trying new things, I’ve added more nutrients to my diet and expanded my palate. You can do the same!
Step 3: Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Let’s be real—not every new food you try is going to become a favorite. And that’s okay! The important part is being open to new experiences and giving things a second chance. You might have hated radishes as a kid, but give them a try now—you could find a new love! When you add new vegetables to your plate, you’re also adding new nutrients, which is an essential step toward a healthier lifestyle.
And it’s not just about trying new foods—experiment with different ways to prepare and season them. Broccoli, for example, can taste completely different depending on how it’s cooked and what seasonings you use. Try steaming, roasting, or stir-frying it with garlic, curry, or even a dash of lemon. The options are endless, and you might just discover that a food you thought you didn’t like can be delicious with the right preparation.
Step 4: Train Your Palate
Another benefit of adding variety is that you’re training your palate. The more diverse flavors you expose yourself to, the more your taste buds will start to appreciate them. It’s like building a new habit—the more you eat something, the more you’ll start to crave it. You might not love broccoli on the first try, but eat it regularly, and soon enough, you’ll find yourself looking forward to it!
The same goes for seasonings. Experimenting with different spices and herbs not only makes your meals more exciting but also encourages you to try more healthy foods. One version of broccoli with garlic might not hit the spot, but try it with curry, and you could fall in love!
Step 5: Make It Fun and Simple
You don’t have to overhaul your entire diet at once. Start small. Next time you’re at the grocery store, pick out just one new fruit or vegetable. Maybe grab an eggplant, a radish, or a leafy green you haven’t tried before. Try it, see how you like it, and then move on to the next new item. It’s all about making small, manageable changes that will add up over time.
The beauty of this approach is that you’re not taking anything away from your diet. Instead, you’re discovering healthy, delicious foods to add to your plate. This makes the process enjoyable, sustainable, and less about restriction. It’s all about balance!
Final Thoughts
Improving your diet doesn’t have to mean giving up the foods you love. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s about adding more variety and nutrients to your meals, so you can enjoy both your favorite treats and feel great about your overall health. Balance is key, and the easiest way to find that balance is by trying new things and expanding your palate.
So, bonita, here’s your task: the next time you’re at the store, head to the fresh produce section and pick out something you’ve never tried before. Give it a taste, and if you don’t like it, that’s okay—just try something else next time. The goal is to discover healthy options you do enjoy and bring more variety to your meals.
If you have any questions or want to share your own food adventures, leave a comment below or reach out to me on Instagram @LucianaWellness. I’d love to hear from you!
And before you go, I’d like to invite you to join my free 7-day challenge. Each day, we’ll focus on changing one small habit. These tiny changes add up and can make a big difference in how you feel. Sign up at LucianaWellness.com/challenge and let’s start this journey together!
Until next time, bonita. Remember, it’s all about balance, and you’ve got this! 💛