A downward view of people eating at a restaurant. Burger, chips, cutlery, salt & pepper, glasses, water are spread around the table.

It’s that time again when many of us are preparing for a fresh new year and setting up our New Years resolutions in the hopes of improving our diet or becoming fitter.

Did you set any resolutions this year? How are they tracking so far?

We often tend to set ourselves unrealistic expectations by cutting out certain foods completely, or entirely changing our diets in a way that just isn’t going to last.

If the plan to achieve your goal involves cutting out something you love or eating something you hate, the likelihood of these changes sticking around for a meaningful amount of time is extremely low.

When setting up goals for yourself, consider the following points:

  1. Don’t overcomplicate things. Before you go purchasing expensive supplements or googling for the latest diet trend – start with the basics. The key to eating well is to enjoy a variety of nutritious foods from each of the five core food groups – fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, dairy & lean meats or meat alternatives.
  2. Rather than focusing on what you think you need to restrict, think about healthy options you can ADD to your diet. For example, adding 2 slices of high fibre multigrain bread at lunch will leave me feeling satisfied, allowing me to manage my appetite well for the rest of the day. Choosing a mindset of abundance rather than restriction can help you avoid obsessive and frustrated feelings that often accompany “dieting”.
  3. Instead of overwhelming yourself with massive goals that can be hard to stick to, why not try setting one small goal at the start of each week or month that is realistic and achievable for YOU. For example, want to eat healthier meals? Start with something as simple as aiming for ½ a plate of vegetables at each meal.

Key Takeaways:

  • Small changes that are done consistently yield the best results.
  • Eat a variety of nutritious foods.
  • Choosing a mindset of abundance rather than restriction.
  • Set small goals that are realistic and achievable for YOU

If you need any help with your 2022 health goals, get in touch with your local Sports & Spinal clinic and make an appointment with our allied health team.

We are here for you 💙

Written by (APD) Dietitian, Samantha Kiorgaard