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75 Easy Food Resolutions To Help You Eat Better In The New Year

Instead of biting off more than you can chew, resolve to tackle a few of these healthy eating ideas in the coming year.

Headshot of Hannah DoolinBy Hannah Doolin
Food, Cuisine, Room, Dish, Eating,
Sinan Saglam/EyeEm//Getty Images

After an indulgent holiday season and overdoing it a bit with New Year's Eve foods, it's natural to feel like a change is in order. In our experience, extreme overhauls in our diets don't last that long, so we've highlighted the latest health research and best healthy recipes we could find to compile 50 reasonable, food-related New Year's resolutions. Think of them as baby steps to take a few at a time in an effort to better your eating habits throughout 2020.

1
Local food, Food group, Superfood, Natural foods, Whole food, Vegan nutrition, Food, Meal, Vegetarian food, Brunch,

Don't forget to pin it for later!

2

Say yes to home-cooked meals

Bundt Pan Roast Chicken
Chelsea Lupkin

It may seem simple, but whipping up your own meals at home can be a major tool when it comes to adjusting your health habits. One man lost 104 pounds by cutting out processed foods and challenged himself to eat only what he cooked himself. There's also the woman who dropped 103 pounds by cooking every meal at home—in an Instant Pot.

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3

Drop your ban on dessert

Halo Top
Halo Top

Depriving yourself of the sweet treats that you love can sometimes lead to unhealthy habits, but luckily plenty of low-calorie brands have popped up, making it possible to enjoy dessert responsibly.

4

Stay on track, even on date night

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Horizontal
Ethan Calabrese

There's no reason why eating healthy can't be romantic, too. Next time you're planning a date night together, opt to cook one of these romantic recipes for two rather than dining out.

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5

Be strategic at Starbucks

Starbucks holiday cups
Starbucks

When you're in the mood for one of those festive, whipped cream-topped Frapps at Starbucks, take a second to really scan the menu before making your choice. Or just look at our breakdown of the healthiest Frappuccinos, based on calories, fat, and sugar content.

6

Defend against dehydration

strawberries wash fruit

Load up on hydrating foods and beverages to drastically increase your H20 intake throughout the day. They'll fill you up and provide necessary nutrients.

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7

Be your own bartender

Drink, Orange drink, Juice, Food, Clementine, Non-alcoholic beverage, Tangerine, Cocktail garnish, Orange, Grapefruit,
Delish

Once in a while, try skipping the extra calories that can be hidden in the fancy drinks at cocktail bars and make your own drinks at home. That doesn't mean you're stuck with vodka and soda, though. Try these tasty low-cal cocktails.

8

Feed your hangovers responsibly

Caprese Avocado Toast
Chelsea Lupkin

If you've been working hard during the week to maintain your diet, don't throw it away by pigging out when you wake up with a hangover. Nutritionists know that choices like salmon and green smoothies can satisfy your cravings and help you feel better.

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9

Stop needlessly snacking at work

work office donuts

According to a recent survey, the average woman consumes an extra 100,000 calories per year, just from snacking on the job. Free office treats can be tempting, but packing satisfying foods to eat instead will keep you full and focused.

10

Grocery shop smarter

trader joe's shopping cart
Getty Images

It can be tough to stock up on nutritious groceries without ending up with an insanely big bill. Strategize your shopping expedition by educating yourself on the cheapest, healthiest options.

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11

Go coco-nuts

coconut

Coconut oil is a staple of the keto diet. You should have some on hand for healthy recipes like keto fat bombs and keto cereal. It's also useful for everyday cooking: Drizzle some in a pan before sautéing your veggies.

12

Get yourself an Instant Pot

Slow Cooker Garlic Balsamic Pot Roast Horizontal
Judy Kim

This kitchen gadget is more than just a trendy item taking up precious cabinet space. First, you should brush up on what, exactly, and Instant Pot is. Then you should buy one. Then you should buy some cookbooks to go with it. Thanks to the Instant Pot's many functions and user-friendliness, one mom improved her health and lost 103 pounds using the device at home.

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13

Scour social media for inspiration

matcha latte

Normal people like you are out there, documenting their nutrition and weight-loss journeys on Instagram daily. Just make sure you're looking to people doing it the right way, like this woman who lost 175 pounds through her hard work.

14

Learn from the celebs

jennifer lopez
TOMMASO BODDI

Take a page from the books of celebrities like J. Lo and Jennifer Aniston. Read up on their eating habits—clearly, they're doing something right.

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15

Beware of dirty produce

Safeway produce aisle

We're all for loading up on fresh fruits and veggies, but some choices are safer than others. Stay up-to-date with the EWG's annual "Dirty Dozen" list to learn about which options have high pesticide residue levels.

16

Be choosy with your smoothies

strawberry smoothie

The smoothies served at major chains like Jamba Juice and Smoothie King can be packed with sugar and other sneaky ingredients, making them a less-than-ideal healthy beverage. You're better off making your own at home. Use this Fab Four formula from Hollywood's go-to nutritionist. (This is Jennifer Garner's favorite smoothie using the method.)

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17

Go gluten-free (once in a while)

Cranberry Balsamic Chicken
Chelsea Lupkin

Take it from the people out there with a gluten allergy: There are still plenty of amazing meals to enjoy without the G-word involved. Whip up one of our gluten-free dinners to get familiar with ingredients and cooking techniques you might not normally think of.

18
icebox cookies
Emily Hlavac Green

Eating too many sweets that are full of sugar can create all sorts of problems, from weight gain to mood swings to skin breakouts. Work on lowering your daily intake in an effort to feel better overall. Heads up: These foods are hiding more sugar than you think. This grocery list will help you find alternatives.

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19

Give yourself a break

woman-on-scale

Calorie counting and strict eating habits can be totally exhausting, and happily, a recent study tells us that we should give ourselves a break in order to get the best results. People who alternated two weeks on, then two weeks off their diets lost an average of 17 pounds more than those who dieted for 16 weeks straight.

20

Stay away from artificial colors

unicorn poke cake
Chelsea Lupkin

We're looking at you, lovers of everything unicorn- or mermaid-themed! Dietitians are urging people to stop eating unnaturally colorful foods that can contain dyes and add no nutritional value.

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