Excuses & Solutions

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Making Improvements

Excuses & Solutions

Before you can lead a healthy lifestyle, you need to be motivated to

get started on the track to a healthier diet. Finding the motivation

and commitment is often the most difficult part of healthier eating.

To help, make a short list of things that stop you from eating a

healthier diet in everyday life. Have a look at the common ones we

have come up with. After reading the list, ask yourself if you still

have valid reasons not to eat more healthily.

Excuse: I don't need to eat healthily.

It may be that you believe that you are already eating a healthy

diet or you cannot see any need to eat healthily.

Solution: Even a couple of small changes could make all the

difference to your health.

Excuse: I don't have enough time.

This is a common complaint.

Solution: Preparing a healthy meal doesn't need to be time-

consuming! In fact, many healthy cooking methods, such as stir-

frying, are incredibly quick. What's more, many healthy foods need

little preparation and no cooking, like salads, fruit and some

vegetables!

Excuse: I don't like healthy food.

Solution: You are probably already eating a lot of healthy foods and

just need to make a few small changes! It could be a case of eating

a little more of some foods and a little less of others, or changing

the way you cook, like grilling instead of frying. You don't need to

suddenly stop eating what you like and eating things you don't like–

keep your changes gradual and your diet varied.

Excuse: I can't cook healthy food.

Solution: Healthy recipes can be really simple, and usually are! And

you don't need to learn new skills or buy special foods – unless, of

course, you want to. Try the recipes from the Promise® Recipes

section. You don't need to be an expert at all, and there is

something for everyone.

Excuse: Healthy food is expensive.

Solution: Healthy eating doesn't need to be expensive. You don't

need to buy special foods or expensive diet products, you just need

to make the right choices. Some fruits and vegetables can be very

cheap.

Excuse: Healthy food is boring.

Solution: A healthy diet is a varied diet and a great excuse for

discovering different tastes from around the world! And, if you find

certain foods boring–just look for more exciting alternatives, or

spice up your dishes with herbs, spices and exotic vegetables or

fruits!

Excuse: I eat away from home too much to eat healthily.

Solution: Even in a restaurant, you can make healthy choices! Have a

salad as starter, eat fish or chicken and have fruit or sorbet as

desert. Try to avoid creamy sauces and deep fried food and make sure

you don't undo all the good work by drinking too much alcohol. If

there's nothing healthy on the menu, ask the chef what he can serve

you!

Excuse: I have tried eating healthily but always fall back into bad

habits after a couple of weeks.

Solution: The best way to succeed is to make only a few small

changes each week–just keep up the changes you do make. Remember,

reverting to your old ways is not the end of the world, just start

again!

Excuse: My family hates healthy food.

Solution: There are lots of ways to make healthy food more appealing

to your family–make fun shapes with vegetables or try some of the

tasty Promise® recipes. They probably won't notice that you've

changed their diet in any way–and they may love it!

Now that you know how to avoid making excuses, you're more likely to

start living a heart healthy lifestyle. Of course, eating a healthy

diet isn't the only way to stay healthy. Learn what other steps you

can take.