15 ways you can change your eating habits in just one day

“People think of changing their eating habits as being all or nothing, a huge makeover; but that just becomes overwhelming,” says registered dietitian and nutritionist Libby Mills. Instead, make one little change a day (go easy on yourself: skip dessert or eat an extra helping of veggies). It’ll be more manageable and still make a big impact in the long run.

Try starting your day with a glass of water before you inhale a caffeine jolt of coffee. “That dose of liquid is going to jump-start your metabolism and get things moving. It can give you a sense of revival by clearing your head and help get your bowels moving regularly,” says Mills. Place a glass of water on your bedside table before you fall asleep at night; the next morning, drain it before hopping out of bed.

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There’s nothing wrong with snacking as long as you’re making nutritious choices that don’t add loads of extra kilojoules to your day. Instead of chips or a candy bar when your lunch starts to wear off, grab a handful of nuts. The fibre and protein will fill you up, and forget what you’ve heard about their fat content. “It’s a valuable type of fat from a healthy, plant-based source, so it’s great for controlling our blood cholesterol,” says Mills. Apples are another good choice because they contain pectin, a type of fibre that plumps up when it comes in contact with the moisture in your stomach, making you feel full.

Too many kilojoules can become unhealthy, but too little kilojoules can be harmful as well. When you deprive yourself of food, your metabolism slows, causing your body to eat away at muscle and hold on to fat, which can lead to weight gain. “Don’t become obsessed and fixated on numbers, but occasionally tracking how many [kilojoules] you’re getting is a good way to spot check and make sure you’re making health eating choices,” says Mills.

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Changing your eating habits can be as simple as getting enough shut-eye. When you’re tired, you’re more likely to overeat or make poor food choices. Lack of sleep can also mess with the levels of hormones that control hunger and metabolism. Get between seven and eight hours of sleep a night.

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Feel free to eat a heaping plate of food, but only if that plate is smaller than regular dinnerware. Cornell researchers found that people who ate cereal out of large bowls consumed 16 percent more cereal than those who were given smaller bowls; however, when asked to estimate how much cereal they thought they’d eaten, large bowl eaters’ estimates were 7 percent lower than those with small bowls. Translation: Eating off smaller dishes helps you eat less but makes you feel like you’re eating just enough.

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Even if you’re not a morning eater, try your hardest to eat a little something for breakfast; it can go a long way in keeping your healthy eating habits on track. “My clients who eat breakfast tend to have better control throughout the rest of the day than those who don’t,” says Mills. Eat something that contains protein and fibre and is low in sugar. A veggie omelette, wholegrain toast with peanut butter, or low fat yoghurt with fortified cereal, are all smart choices that will keep you full until lunch.

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A bagged lunch from home is an easy way to monitor what you’re eating, plus save you a few bucks. Set a reminder on your phone to go off after dinner, then take a few minutes to make a salad or your own bowl (brown rice or quinoa topped with veggies and a protein). Or make a week’s worth of lunches on Sunday with this creative trick. “Use segmented plastic-ware to make a spread of whole grain crackers or whole wheat pita, veggie sticks, fruit, and hummus or a few pieces of cheese. You’ve got a variety of flavours, textures, and shapes that keep it interesting,” says Mills.

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Swapping out kilojoule-heavy spreads and toppings for lighter, healthier options doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice flavour. Instead of butter on your toast or mayo on your sandwich, try spreading hummus on your bread; it’s lower in fat, higher in protein, and packed with flavour. Instead of topping your yogurt with granola, which is often high in sugar, fat and even salt, spoon a dollop of peanut butter on top and add sliced banana or apple; you’ll get natural sweetness with an extra boost of protein and vitamins. “Low-fat Greek yoghurt with fresh grapes and peanut butter or chopped peanuts tastes just like a peanut butter sandwich,” says Mills.

If you do have to buy lunch, plan ahead. “Before you head out, take five minutes and think about lunch and the restaurant you’re going to,” says Mills. By deciding what you’ll order ahead of time, you can stick to a healthier choice and will be less likely to spontaneously order something that fulfils a not-so-healthy craving.