Why is Eating Healthy So Hard and How Can I Do It?

2020 is here, and with it comes a slew of new year’s resolutions, many of them related to weight loss or improved health.

Did you, like most people, include weight loss or getting shape in your list of goals for the new year? Are you already struggling to keep up with those goals?

Changing your diet is one of the hardest changes you can make, even if weight loss isn’t your primary goal. If you’ve been asking yourself questions like “Why is healthy eating so hard?” and “Why can’t I stick to my diet?” you’ve come to the right place.

Explained below are some of the reasons why healthy eating can be challenging. You’ll also find some simple health tips that will make it easier for you to make lasting changes, diet right, and finally see the results you’re after. 

Why Is Healthy Eating So Hard?

A lot of us know the basics of a healthy diet: Eat fruits and vegetables, don’t overdo it on fast food or processed food, replace soda with water, etc. We know this stuff, but we have a really hard time implementing it. Why is this the case? 

There are plenty of reasons why you might struggle to make healthy diet choices and find yourself eating a lot of food that isn’t doing you any favors. These are some of the most noteworthy:

You’re Busy

Everyone’s busy these days. They have a job, a side hustle, a family, friends they want to see, chores they have to do around the house, general workplace anxiety that keeps them up at night, the list goes on and on. A packed schedule can make it feel impossible to shop for and prepare healthy food on a regular basis.

You Don’t Plan Ahead

A busy schedule can also make it harder for you to plan ahead. This, in turn, sets you up for failure when you’re getting ready to start any kind of diet. This is especially true when your diet is very restrictive and has an extensive “yes-no” foods list you have to abide by. 

You Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

Speaking of restrictive diets, many people end up taking on more than they can handle when they decide to change the way they eat. Instead of making small, simple changes, they try to overhaul everything. Why add in a couple of extra servings of vegetables when you could go keto-paleo-gluten-free-vegan all at once? 

You Have an All-or-Nothing Attitude

The only thing worse than adopting a diet that’s too restrictive is adopting an all-or-nothing attitude along with that diet. If you make one “mistake” and eat something that’s off-plan, do you throw in the towel and go buy a box of doughnuts? Chasing perfection will, more often than not, leave you feeling disappointed in yourself and no closer to your goals than you were before.

You Overestimate Your Current Actions

Sometimes, people fall into the trap of assuming they’re already eating a healthy diet. They then ask themselves why, if they’re eating so healthfully, they’re not losing weight or feeling better?

If this is you, the answer could be that you’re overestimating your current actions. You might be counting calories but not accurately measuring and weighing your food, for example. This, in turn, results in you eating way more than you think you are, which is sabotaging your weight loss efforts.

How Can I Make Healthy Eating Easier?

Do any of these issues ring a bell for you? Are you guilty of taking on too much too soon or failing to plan ahead when starting a diet?

If this is the case, you’re definitely not alone. Lots of people make these same mistakes every time they try to change the way they eat.

You don’t have to continue this pattern, though. Here are some strategies you can implement in the new year to eat a healthier diet and maintain it throughout 2020 and beyond:

Write Down Your Goals

Start by getting clear about why you’re following a particular diet. What do you want to get out of it? Why do you think this is the diet that will help you accomplish those goals?

Meal Plan

Once you’ve settled on a particular way of eating, be it Paleo, keto, vegan, or anything else, it helps to plan your meals ahead of time. Sit down on a Saturday or Sunday and think about what you want to eat throughout the week. Be realistic about what you can prepare, too. 

Meal Prep

Next, go ahead and prepare for those recipes you’ve planned. You don’t have to make all of these recipes at once. Doing some prep work can set you up for a successful week, though.

Chop up vegetables to save yourself some steps later in the week, for example, or portion out your snacks so you don’t overeat.

Practice Precision

Speaking of portions, practice precision when it comes to your measuring. Investing in a food scale can be a great step because it allows you to see what a serving of a particular food actually looks like. You might be surprised to find that you’ve been eating an eight-ounce serving of chicken for years when you thought it was only four ounces. 

Schedule Check-ins

Finally, schedule regular check-ins with yourself. Plan to sit down once a month or once a quarter (write these dates in your calendar so you don’t forget) and evaluate how you’re doing.

Be honest with yourself during your check-ins, too. This gives you a chance to make adjustments or consider a new approach if your current one isn’t working out.

Start Your Healthy Choice Diet Today

As you can see, there are lots of answers to the question “Why is healthy eating so hard?” Luckily, though, there are also lots of strategies you can use to change your diet and make long-lasting improvements to your health.

Follow the information outlined above and it’ll be much easier for you to stick to your diet and meet your health and fitness goals. 

For more advice on weight loss and healthy living, check out some of the other resources from SeattlePi today. This one about the best time to take protein powder is a great starting point, especially if your healthy eating goals including getting more protein into your diet.





