Changing your own diet may seem more difficult than you think, but just as your elderly family member needs to eat a healthy diet, so do you. You’ll have more energy and you’ll be able to keep up with everything that demands your attention while caregiving.
Make Changes Gradually
One of the biggest pitfalls that people fall into when they want to eat a healthier diet is that they try to revamp everything all at once. Instead, make changes gradually so that you can really commit to them over time. Making smaller changes allows you to get used to what you’re doing and to proceed at your own pace.
Prepare Your Meals in Advance
Set yourself up for success by planning your meals and snacks. Make sure that you’ve got them ready to go before you need them so that you can grab what you need and go. If meal preparation is too difficult, you’ll reach for fast food or convenience foods far more often. Set aside an hour or two right after you grocery shop to prepare as much of that week’s meals as you can in advance.
Keep it Simple
If you’re trying to stress yourself out by counting calories and macros, you’re probably going to get frustrated and give up before you get anywhere. Instead of focusing on lots of small details, pay attention to what ingredients you’re using. Whole foods are going to be a better option overall than other types of foods you might reach for instead.
Avoid Processed Foods
Overall, processed foods are a bad idea. They’re usually way too high in sodium and sugar as a way to preserve the food. Fast foods are just as bad, even though they’re prepared to eat right away. They often rely on fats that are not beneficial and empty calories. They’re fast, but they’re not a good choice in order to keep your energy levels high.
Keep Water on Hand
Chances are very good that you’re not drinking enough water. One way around this is to keep full bottles of water with you all day that you can sip on gradually. If you’re new to drinking lots of water, keep your initial goals small and then you can eventually increase the amount of water you’re drinking.
Making even small changes to how you eat can dramatically improve your energy levels and help you feel better prepared to go on with being a caregiver. As you continue to eat a healthy diet, your body will start to reward you for the better fuel you’re putting into it.
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