Let’s face it: eating healthier is one of those things we all want to do consistently, but struggle to keep up with. Life is busy, and with that kind of stress, it’s easy to let healthy eating fall by the wayside.

But what if there was a better way? Forming great habits is about more than just expecting a new behavior. It’s about creating systems that support that new behavior.

That’s what this list is all about: systems. There are plenty of things we can do to make eating healthier easy on ourselves, and in this list I’m covering twenty-one strategies to get you started.

1. Prepare Healthy Snacks & Take Them with You

Source: @nutritionschool

The number one thing that foils most attempts to eat healthy is being unable to resist a good snack.

We get hungry, we snack on what’s most convenient, and that’s usually something that spikes our blood sugar. The solution? Make sure you have healthy snacks on hand!

2. Meal Prep

Source: @peanutbutterandfitness

It’s tough to consistently make healthy eating decisions at the end of a long day, so meal prepping can be a  big help.

Prepare healthy meals ahead of time to make it as easy as possible to choose them when push comes to shove.

3. Eat Your Greens First

Source: @lastingredient

When you sit down to eat a meal, eat those greens first! It’s best to stop eating when we get full, but we want to get as many greens in as possible.

Not only are they filling, but they’re also full of essential nutrients to keep your system humming.

4. Don’t Grocery Shop Without A List

Source: @planwitharri

The supermarket is like this big gorgeous mecca of delicious foods, and that’s the way it should be! But if we habitually snack or eat unhealthy foods, that can lead to sabotage in the grocery aisles.

So, make sure never to hit the grocery store without a list to guide you to the healthiest choices.

5. Don’t Skip Meals

Source: @healthykatie_rn

Don’t. Skip. Meals! Skipping meals is a common piece of advice you might hear when trying to eat healthy, but it can actually harm you in the long run.

Skipping meals encourages you to overeat when meal time comes around, so make sure to eat small meals regularly to keep your metabolism humming.

6. Drink Water Instead of Sugary Beverages

Source: @botella.pk

Sugary drinks are uniquely addictive, and it can be so easy to drink a few glasses of soda or juice without realizing how much sugar you’re actually consuming.

Try to rely on water as your main beverage of choice, with the occasional treat of a sugary drink in moderation.

7. Cook More Meals at Home

Source: @zaubermixerei

It’s official; home cooked meals are the best meals! If you find yourself eating out a lot, whether it be for convenience or cravings, try to find ways to enjoy more meals at home.

Home cooked meals tend to use less oil and sugar than those made outside, and they’re often cheaper as well.

8. Try New Produce

Source: @lifestylemarkets

Keep meal times exciting by trying new produce! It’s easy for the same meals to become boring and repetitive, which encourages us to go out and seek the sugary or fatty meals we crave.

Get excited about meals again by picking out something new to try at the grocery store each week.

9. Have Grab ‘n’ Go Fruit Ready

Source: @methodicalmuses

Fruit is a great snack to have on hand. It satisfies sugar cravings while providing a ton of vitamins and nutrients, and you can enjoy it on the go as-needed.

Keep your fruit bowl stocked with supplies to enjoy as you like.

10. Drink Smoothies

Source: @allthehealthythings

One of the best ways I’ve found to inject more fruit and vegetables into your diet is to drink them. Nothing easier than enjoying a delicious smoothie for a snack or meal.

Make sure to pack your smoothies with as many healthy ingredients as possible. After all, you won’t be able to taste most of them, which is why these work so well.

11. Eat More Protein

Source: @fit_foodie_jade

Protein is the foundation of what our bodies need to survive, heal, and build muscle. If you’re getting enough protein, you’ll feel healthy and your meals will feel more satisfying.

So, consider adding plant-based and meat-based sources of protein into your meals for an extra filling kick.

12. Incorporate More Probiotics into Your Meals

Source: @kefir.lab

Probiotics are essential to help you properly digest your food, making it easier for your body to extract nutrients from your food.

You can eat all the healthy food in the world, but if your body can’t process it, then it’s all for naught!

13. Eat A Variety of Proteins

Source: @nytcooking

We often get stuck in our ways when it comes to what proteins we eat, but it helps to switch things up. Try including lean proteins as well as fish and plant-based options in your diet.

This helps diversify your diet, keeping your gut microbiome as healthy as possible.

14. Use Fresh Herbs Instead of Seasoning Mixes

Source: @cherihealthcoach

Seasoning mixes that you buy from the supermarket tend to have a lot of fillers and sugar, which means they’re not that good for you in the first place.

When you can, it’s best to use fresh herbs and spices rather than store bought seasoning mixes. They taste better, too!

15. Snack on Nuts

Source: @clean_and_delicious

Nuts are so good for you bones, brain, and organs thanks to the high levels of natural fat. This is a good thing, especially when you consider how long they keep you fill.

Most nuts are also packed with some level of protein, so they’re a great snack to keep you satisfied.

16. Don’t Fear Eggs

Source: @cooksillustrated

Many people skip out on eggs because they’re concerned about their cholesterol, but eating eggs in moderation is really good for you!

Not only are they an affordable source of protein, but they’re also super versatile, so you can enjoy them with almost any meal.

17. Add Fresh Fruit to Your Cereal or Oatmeal

Source: @ullenka_

If you need a quick and easy breakfast in the morning, one of the easiest ways to improve the health of your breakfast is to add some fresh fruit.

Fresh fruit is sweet enough to keep your interest at breakfast, but not so sweet that they’ll spike your blood sugar like a sugary cereal would.

18. Switch to Whole Grains

Source: @eco18dotcom

White puffed rice, white flour, and white bread are all heavily processed, which strips them of a lot of their nutritional value.

It helps to lean into whole grains if you want to add more fiber to your diet.

19. Eat Fatty Fish

Source: @julesfood

Fatty fish is one of our only sources of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9, which are all vital brain-feeding vitamins. Unfortunately, many people are missing this in their diets!

While you can eat supplements, the tastiest way to get these vitamins is to enjoy some fatty fish every once in a while.

20. Incorporate More Colorful Foods into Your Diet

Source: @missjen

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all these different health tips? You’re not alone! One of the best ways to get a ton of nutrients in your food is to just incorporate different colors into your shop.

From red to purple, if you have vegetables and fruits from all across the color spectrum, you’ll be in good stead.

21. Make One New Recipe Every Week

Source: @keituthecolorfulcook_

If all else fails, try out one new recipe per week! This helps to keep your diet interesting and varied, which is ideal for your gut’s microbiome.

It also ensures that making food is still a fun and interesting part of your week, because eating healthy shouldn’t have to mean you give up on loving food.