Everyone's New Year's Resolution seems to be "eat better," and we all know it's not easy. There's temptation everywhere, and true healthy eating comes from making healthy choice after healthy choice - almost all the time. This is no small feat, but if you make some savvy substitutions, keeping your new year's resolution will come much easier this year.
Here are seven swaps you can make to kick your diet into high gear and make your next year a healthier one.
1. White bread for whole wheat. Seems obvious, but people are very hesitant to make the leap. After a few weeks, you won't miss your Wonder bread.
2. Iceberg lettuce for spinach. Iceberg lettuce is pretty devoid of nutrients, and won't fill you up if you're trying to eat a more salad-based diet. Spinach, though, is high in iron, magnesium, vitamins A and C, and folate, all of which are great for your metabolism and will leave you feeling more energized and fuller for longer, says Health.
3. Stir-fried meats for dry-rubbed spiced meat. Though we all love a good stir fry, it's best left for cheat days. Even though the combination of meat, veggies and rice or noodles doesn't seem terribly unhealthy, stir-fries often contain tons of sodium, fat and calories from all the sauces that make it taste so good. Dry-rubbed meat dishes can be just as flavorful, but their flavor comes from lots of spices and herbs instead of caloric bottled sauces and oils, explains Health. Try Aarti Sequeira's tandoori chicken.
4. Freezer fries for thinly-sliced roasted veggies with a sprinkling of breadcrumbs. If you tend to eat french fries at home, try using a mandolin to thinly slice some root veggies like sweet potatoes or turnips, and some red onion and asparagus. Drizzle them with olive oil, sprinkle on some salt, pepper and garlic powder, and coat with a bit of breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Bake them in a 400-degree oven until crispy. These are even more flavorful than fries, and you can dip them in ketchup just the same.
5. Whole milk for 2 percent or 1 percent. This is a tough one for people to overcome if they grew up drinking whole milk, but the amount of calories and fat that you'll avoid just by switching the type of milk you drink will be worth it, says Eating Well.
6. Juice for whole fruit. If you find yourself reaching for the jug of juice, you're unwittingly ingesting hundreds of calories more than you would be if you satisfied your sweet craving with an apple instead, says Women's Health.
7. Bottled dressings for homemade. Bottled dressings are full of preservatives, are high in calories and sugar, and are not made with the healthiest oils. Try making big batches of your own homemade dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, a little honey, and a big spoonful of dijon mustard.
