As spring finally arrives to our area it’s a great time to consider a spring cleaning of your habits. Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding has advice for incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine. You don’t have to do them all all the time, but try them out and see how easy it is to start building healthy habits.

Healthy Habits — Food & Drink

When you think of healthy habits what do you picture? Hours in the gym? Living on lettuce? That can be the opposite of motivation, especially if you’re busy. Luckily there are small things you can try to find what you like and can incorporate into your routine to help your overall health, wellness, and fitness.

Swap Out One Snack

Do you get cravings? Try to swap out one snack a day for a healthier option. Instead of crunching on savory crackers or chips grab a handful or snack pack of healthy nuts. A serving of nuts has nutrients, provides a boost of energy, and is a healthy fat to incorporate without the guilt.

If you’re a fan of sweets Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding suggests a piece of fruit — go for what’s in season and experiment to find your favorite temperature. Many prefer fruit at a specific coolness and it can be the difference between liking and loving it as a snack.

Swap Out One Drink

Are you one of many Americans who gets many calories from drinks? From fancy starbucks concoctions to sodas to juice it’s crazy how many calories we drink. Try to swap out one drink a week (build up to one day) for good ol’ water. Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding recommends adults drink 64 oz of water a day. Carbonate it for the refreshing tingle of fizz on your tongue or squeeze in some citrus for added flavor.

Go Fresh

Once a week make a salad of fresh, locally grown vegetables dressed simply with olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Seasonal fresh vegetables are an interesting addition to our typical meal fare and introduce us to new flavors. Make the dressing more interesting by adding dried herbs. Bonus points for using something more interesting than iceberg lettuce!

Can’t get behind salad? Try chopping up veggies to enjoy with a light dip like hummus!

Learn More

If you struggle with your health and obesity consider a consultation with Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding at NYU Langone Medical Center to learn more about options for your health.