Expert Author: Chelsea Golub, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

I don’t know about you guys, but two New Year’s Resolutions I hear all the time are to “eat healthier and lose weight”. But what does eating healthy really mean? As an RD, I find that the idea of eating healthy can be misconstrued. Oftentimes people think of fad diets as the best way to eat healthy, whether that’s intermittent fasting, starting keto, or doing a 3 day juice cleanse. However, I can tell you right now, and the Cleveland Clinic agrees, that these fad diets are just temporary solutions or, as I call it, a bandage for the overarching problem. 

Here are some of my favorite New Year’s Resolutions when it comes to creating healthy habits and living a healthy lifestyle:

1. Eat a balanced and varied diet

You might hear the word “balanced” all the time and think to yourself: what does that really mean? Well, it means consuming food from each of the three major food groups: think protein, fats and carbohydrates. These are the macronutrients that our bodies use as fuel - we need all three of the groups. One group that gives people some confusion is fat. We need fat in our lives, and no - eating fat won't actually make us fat. That’s why I love 4th & Heart grass fed ghee! Not only is it lactose free (which is great for people with lactose intolerance), but it is also high in vitamins A, D, E and K. These are fat soluble vitamins, meaning they need fat to be absorbed in your body and are super important to help your body function properly. I love using ghee for roasting, sautéing, baking - come to think of it, I love using it for anything really! 

 

2. Stay hydrated

One problem that I often find with my clients is that they come to me dehydrated. Water is SO important in helping you feel your best. An easy way to determine how much water a person (with no preexisting health conditions) needs per day is to take your weight in pounds and divide it by two. This will give you the approximate number of ounces you need per day, not accounting for physical activity. Meeting your water needs can help increase energy levels, improve digestion, regulate hunger, and help with your skin, not to mention much more.

 

3. Move your body in a way that feels good for you

This resolution is SUPER important. The idea is to work out and get physical activity in a way that you enjoy - not to work off that slice of pie you had or to work out for your dinner that night. Dreading your workout and doing it for the wrong reasons is the worst and will cause you to really hate it. My advice to you - try and find a routine that you love! Whether that’s spinning, taking a yoga class, going for a long walk or run, hiking, or even just dancing around your apartment - it’s all individualized to what will make you feel GOOD!

 

4. Go easy on yourself

This is my favorite resolution, but often the most difficult to achieve. Although eating your fruits and vegetables, having whole grains, healthy fats and good sources of protein is important, it’s also important to cut yourself a break. Don’t be so hard on yourself when you’re craving that cookie or bowl of ice cream because you consciously want it. Instead, allow yourself to eat it, enjoy it, and move on! This can help prevent you from overeating later on or from getting into that unfavorable binge-restrict cycle. 

After the crazy year that 2020 was, we need to go into 2021 prepared for anything! These New Year’s resolutions will be super helpful in starting this new year off on the right foot. By following these few easy suggestions, you will be setting yourself and your year up for success. With so many variables in our world today, it feels good to be in control of yourself and your health.

 

About The Expert:

Hi! I’m Chelsea Golub and I’m a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist located in New York City.

My passion lies in helping my clients live a healthy lifestyle and feel their best. I work one-on-one with clients in my remote private practice, Eat Healthy with Chelsea Nutrition and Wellness, to provide individualized nutrition counseling. I aim to help people ditch the diet mentality and eat real, whole foods. It’s not only a sustainable approach for the here and now, but it’s a way of life that will be with you forever, so be prepared to say “bye-bye” to diets forever. Feel free to check out my instagram, eathealthywith_chelsea or send an email to chelsea@eathealthywithchelsea.com to set up your free 15 minute discovery call.