5 Common Signs Your Diet Needs a Makeover

In a world where fast food and quick-fix diet plans are everywhere, it’s easy to take a detour from the path of healthy eating.

A lot of times it can be hard to change our weight and our lifestyle because we’re not even sure what the real problems are.

Check out the list below for some of the most common signs your diet needs a few touch-ups, along with a handful of solutions to help you get back on track!

1. You are constantly hungry after you eat.

If you feel hungry after your meals, it’s time to check what you’re putting in your body. Are you eating enough healthy fats and whole grains to hold you over and sustain you throughout your day?

If not, toss a handful of raw nuts or seeds such as almonds, cashews, chia seeds, and hemp seeds in a zip lock bag and bring them with you to work—store them in your desk drawer.

You can add these to your salads for an extra boost of protein and healthy fats that will hold you over until your next meal without mindlessly munching.

2. You have cravings all the time—not just when you are PMS’ing.

Cravings are a sign that your body needs something you’re not feeding it. When your body is short on fuel, it craves sugar because it recognizes that chocolate bar as a fast source of energy.

However, because your body processes sugar so quickly, you’ll be left with another craving in no time. It’s much better to halt your sugar cravings by eating healthy fats that give your body long-lasting energy.

Buy a few avocados each week and keep them in a brown paper bag to ripen up! Try adding avocado to salads or a savory bowl of oatmeal, pureeing them in a blender to make a salad dressing or veggie dip, spreading them on whole-grain toast, or adding them to a brown rice wrap.

If that sounds like too much work for you, simply sprinkle avocado halves with sea salt and pepper and dig in with a spoon.

Adding healthy fats to your meals and snacks such as nuts, nut butters, nut oils, avocados, organic eggs, olive oil, flax oil, and avocado oil will help with your sugar and junk-food cravings!

3. Everything you eat comes from a box or a bag.

Time to eat one-ingredient foods.

You can make meals out of one-ingredient foods.

It’s easier than you think.

Steer clear of the processed, packaged foods and whip up easy meals such as salads and bowls of whole grains, healthy fats, and fiber from fruits and veggies; these are filling meals that are nourishing—you can count the ingredients on one hand, and they all come from one-ingredient foods.

You’ll feel a surge of energy and won’t be as bloated too!

4. You can’t recall what the inside of a food store looks like.

Sad! Get into the food store or farmers’ market and pick out a new veggie or fruit each week, along with lean proteins such as seafood, organic chicken, beans, and legumes.

Pair your protein with healthy fats, such as nuts or seeds, and then top your meals off with a boost of flavor from your favorite fresh herbs and spices, such as fresh cilantro, parsley, curry, or chili powder.

5. You think quinoa, millet, and brown rice are boring.

Think again! There are lots of ways to prepare these grains with fresh ingredients to add loads of flavor and texture. Toss these gluten-free and fiber-filled grains with olive oil, sea salt, pepper, chopped fresh cilantro, mint, basil or parsley, along with a touch of natural sweetness from pure maple syrup or raw honey.

Add a few cherry tomatoes or fresh berries along with freshly squeezed lemon, lime, or orange juice to keep your meals exciting.

Toasted walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts are always a great idea, but if you aren’t a nut fan, toss in some toasted sesame, pumpkin, or sunflower seeds for a nice crunch!

Roasted chickpeas are a great way to add flavor too, and they’re a healthier option than store-bought croutons.

Get creative and mix ‘n’ match to keep your meals exciting. You can enjoy these grains in all meals and snacks in your breakfast porridge, lunchtime salad, dinner tacos, or an easy dessert pudding!