HOW TO REBOOT YOUR EATING HABITS AFTER SUMMER
After an indulgent three months of ice cream, backyard barbecues, and endless rosé, your body may be telling you that it’s time to find some balance (and some green vegetables). Don’t panic, there are many easy ways to reboot your plate. September is also the perfect time to pick up some new healthy habits, since you can make them last through the next tour of indulgence: the holidays. With a few of these simple tricks, you’ll be feeling like fall’s finest in no time.
POUR YOURSELF A PINT (NO, NOT THAT KIND)
If you spent as much time in the sun as we did, your skin might be in need of some health and hydration. Look no further than a tall glass of water to help take care of your skin (and pretty much every other part of your body). You can even trick yourself into drinking more water by putting a glass on your nightstand, setting reminders on an app, or playing a drinking game at your desk.
EAT YOUR GREENS FOR BREAKFAST
Loading up on veggies is the single easiest way to fill your plate with fiber and countless antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. But if the thought of shopping, planning, and prepping seems daunting, start small and focus just on eating your veggies at breakfast. Our nutrition coach Jessica Guterman, RDN swears by this tip: “I don’t stay trapped in the conventional breakfast box. I focus on eating vegetables early in the day and often.” That way, you can go about your day knowing you already got a solid dose of greens.
CURB YOUR SWEET TOOTH
After a summer full of sweet treats and drinks, sugar cravings seem to pop up a little more often than usual. Instead of quitting sugar cold turkey, you may find more success by scaling back the number of sweets you enjoy. Try these tips:
- Use the power of “out of sight, out of mind.” Take a minute to rearrange your cabinets and give the sweets a nice out-of-the-way spot in the back corner. Or better yet, don’t bring them in the house at all.
- Avoid getting hangry. When you let too much time pass between meals, you’re more likely to set off a chain reaction of cravings.
- Beware of artificial sweeteners. Many of them taste sweeter than regular sugar, which may not do much for curbing your cravings.
VENTURE TO THE FARMER’S MARKET
In September, the farmer’s market is usually filled with the tail-end of summer produce and the earliest of fall’s finds. Browsing the selection is a great way to get inspired (and load up on veggies for the week). We love using the Seasonal Food Guide to find out which fruits and veggies are in season near us. In the San Francisco Bay Area, our late summer favorites include eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, and peaches. Some early fall finds include artichokes, Brussels sprouts, kiwis, and pears.
CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO MAKE A NEW RECIPE
Cooking something new will add some flavor and fun to your weekly rotation. And if you spent most of your summer dining out, it’ll also help you get back in the habit of eating at home. For some inspiration, try browsing a list of seasonal veggies and uncommon grains. Chances are, there’s a veggie or whole grain you’ve never cooked before. Pick one that sounds interesting, look up a recipe, and get cooking. You might just end up with a new favorite.
