Whether you would like to lose weight or maintain your current weight, a healthier lifestyle does not always have to start at the gym. Sometimes the opportunity to reach your goals knocks on the door…of your refrigerator.
Having tasty, healthy foods at your fingertips can help you look and feel better because one of the foundations of good health is putting nutritious foods into your body.
Here are our top eight tips for how to organize your refrigerator to lose or maintain weight.
Take note of what foods have gone bad, what items you buy a lot of, what gets eaten the fastest and what gets left behind. This will help reveal your good versus bad food habits. (This may also be the perfect opportunity to deep-clean your refrigerator — and your freezer too!)
This may include sauces, condiments or old frozen meals. You want to make space for meals that will fuel your and your family’s bodies. Also, eating spoiled food may cause food poisoning!
This will make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for and to not get sidetracked into taking more food than you originally intended.
If things like fruits, veggies, hummus and water are the first things you see, you may be more likely to snag them when a craving hits.
Create ready-to-eat meals and snacks so you always have a healthy option when you need it. Some smart snack combos include hummus with sliced peppers and cucumbers, low-fat cottage cheese and celery, and apple slices and peanut butter.
Load one side of your fridge with water or other healthier beverages, including iced-tea, and sparkling and no-sugar flavored waters. You can also keep fresh berries on hand to muddle and add to your water.
Fill your freezer with frozen fruits, veggies and proteins so that you always have healthier options to whip up on busy nights and weekends.
Make a grocery list ahead of time to help with any or all of the aforementioned tips. Once you’re there, try to avoid high-fat foods, foods with processed flour, high-sodium frozen meals and sugary desserts. What you put in your fridge will ultimately end up in your or a family member’s belly.
We hope these tips help you transform your refrigerator into a tool that keeps you on track with your health goals.
Health Plan of Nevada members, if you’re ready to take the guesswork out of your diet, talk with a registered dietitian about foods that may help! Call Health Education and Wellness for more information at 702-877-5356 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., local time.
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Disclaimer: Content is for general informational purposes only and not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for professional health care. See your physician for medical advice personalized to your situation. Consult your health care provider before making any changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen. The inclusion of links to other websites does not imply any endorsement of the material on the websites.
