Plenty of resolutions are made for the New Year. In fact, about half of Americans partake in this annual tradition, making promises that are generally broken by the end of January- seriously, 1 of 3 resolutions are abandoned like a flaming hoverboard within one month.
Not surprisingly, some of the top self-improvement goals are losing weight and eating healthier. But even if you are on good terms with your scale, chances are you’re still not getting enough fruits and vegetables. According to the Center for Disease Control, only 1 in 10 Americans eats their recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
Wow, things just got really dismal all of a sudden. So much for that New Year, New You. We might as well just keep on doing what we’re doing and fortify the job security of those CDC experts.
NO! Stop that negative downward doughnut of despair. Change is easier than you think! It’s all about biting off only what you can chew. Literally. And any change you make is positive. See how we just turned that doughnut into an Apple Doughnut?
If you’re considering a diet-related resolution (and apparently, 90% of us should), make it simple. Studies show that by starting with small, easier to manage changes, you will have the most success making it to February. Here are a few easy-to-implement ideas to get you motivated:
- -eat one more serving of fruits or veggies each day
- -serve your fruit or veggies before adding grains or protein
- -experiment with fruit or veggie variations to recipes (like this Chicken Sausage, Pear and Fontina Quiche)
- -try a new fruit or veggie each week (it can be as simple as a new variety like our Lady Alice® apples)
- -once a day, make fruits and veggies half your plate
- -substitute a fruit or veggie for a less healthy snack
Our friends at Fruits & Veggies More Matters have an entire website dedicated to making goals like these achievable. Whether you need meal planning tips, inspiration for FVs you’ve never tried before, or storage tips to keep your FVs fresh, their site has all sorts of tips to help you achieve your goals.
Here’s to a happy and healthful 2016!