Fall pep talk by dietician Edie Shaw-Ewald

Edie Shaw-Ewald is a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer, and a regular contributor to the Bedford Beacon. She coaches clients to use real and natural foods to achieve their healthiest body and mind.

She runs her own business called Nova Scotia’s Nutrition Coach.

Fall is often a time when big decisions are made.

Perhaps it is a decision to take a course, take on a new challenge, give up a bad habit, or get in better shape.

Before you jump in though, it helps to create a plan to increase your chance of success.

If you have made the decision to improve your eating habits (yeah!), then building a healthy eating environment is essential.

Here are a few steps to start building a healthy eating environment:

1. Clear any clutter off of the dining table and make it an inviting place to eat. Designate a small desk or a basket to hold agendas, mail, and school newsletters, etc.

2. Take a good look in your pantry and refrigerator. Decide which foods do not contribute to your healthy eating goals and make a note not to add them to the next grocery list. HINT: Most food products with long ingredient lists are not the healthiest choices.

3. Before you grocery shop, create a menu with several ideas for breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners. Make a list of all of the ingredients you need. Post the menu on the fridge.

4. Have a few staples in the pantry and freezer that you can count on to make fast, healthy meals in a pinch when things ‘don’t go as planned’! For example: a box of whole grain pasta, a can of chickpeas and crushed tomatoes makes a much healthier meal than going out for burgers and fries

5. Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter for healthy snacks.

Yes, it is a big decision to change your diet and eating habits, but it is all of the little decisions that you make throughout the day that will add up to big changes. For example: the decision to have oatmeal, berries and milk for breakfast rather than stopping for a muffin on the way to work.

If you need help with healthy eating changes; contact me at (902) 441-6602 or shaw.ewald@ns.sympatico.ca.

Blog: nutritioncoachedie.blogspot.com.

Website: nutritioncoachedie.com.