By Grace Barker
With online health advice changing by the minute, living healthy can feel stressful, overwhelming, or even impossible. But a healthy lifestyle should feel energizing and supportive, and it’s easier to build into your routine than you think.
The average adult makes about 35,000 decisions every single day. Though that may seem like a lot, your brain is a powerful tool, leveraging habits and cues to make the majority of those decisions on autopilot.
What’s the greatest contributor to those cues? Your environment! It’s shaping you daily, whether you know it or not. From your organization methods and eating patterns to how you style the counter, the little things add up. With a few small improvements to your kitchen environment, you’re well on your way to making the healthy choice the easy choice.
1. Place the Fruit in Front
Your brain loves an easy choice, and when you place the healthier option in front, that’s exactly what you’ll choose. Set a large bowl in the middle of the counter and fill it with bright yellow bananas, sparkling red apples, and oranges. Don’t be surprised when you walk through the kitchen in the early afternoon and begin craving a nourishing snack from that beautiful bowl of produce.
2. Clear the Clutter
When the kitchen counter becomes the catchall for papers, keys, and random leftover containers, the thought of cooking is less than appetizing. But imagine walking into a clean space with pans ready for cooking and produce ready for chopping. With a clear countertop, you’ll walk in feeling like the inspired home chef you are.
3. Stock a Fridge You’re Excited to Open
A little intention at the grocery store goes a long way toward meals that are nourishing, delicious, and genuinely enjoyable. Pick up your favorite style of mixed greens or the fresh veggies you love. When it’s time to cook, a fridge full of produce you actually like makes the whole experience more appealing. Plus, you’re far less likely to waste food that you love.
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be another item on your growing to-do list. With a few small improvements to your kitchen, you can make a big impact on your health without much extra thought.
Grace Barker is a recipe developer, writer, health coach, and founder of Grace & Greens, where she shares nourishing recipes, weekly meal plans, and tips for building healthier habits. Through her community of 3,000+, she helps readers eat well and feel good. Learn more at graceandgreens.com or instagram.com/graceandgreens.blog.
