7 Healthy new year resolutions you can actually stick to in 2018

Expert Tips: 7 Healthy new year resolutions you can actually stick to in 2018

Sarah Khan

22 Dec 2017

updated the 27 December 2017 à 16:08

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1. Add a slice of lemon to your drinking water
We get it: drinking plain water can be boring sometimes. Instead of getting a your midday bubble tea or soda fix, consider adding a slice of lemon to your water to make it more flavourful and interesting to drink! Lemon water can aid in digestion and detoxification, on top of being a great source of vitamin C.
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2. Carry a herbal teabag with you
For those who find it a chore to carry lemons around, teabags are a more convenient (and healthy) option for a more flavourful drink. Besides raising antioxidant levels, teas like green tea also boost metabolism and fight free radicals.
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3. Have a salad day at least once a week
When consuming salads, it's easiest to work according to the 2 servings of vegetables and fruits. Nutritionists recommend including greens rich in fibre and vitamins like lettuce or kale, and also orange vegetables like cherry tomatoes or carrots for vitamin C.

For protein: skip the fried meats and opt for grilled salmon, chicken breast or tofu (for vegans). Add some carbohydrates like corns, beans or potatoes for a balanced meal, says dietitian Wong Hui Xin from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.

Do note that not all salads are created equal – creamy dressings, like blue cheese and Caesar, are no-nos! Opt for vinaigrettes and add some olive oil for a healthier dressing.
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4. Replace desserts & after-meal sweets with fruits
Rather than reaching for that pint of ice cream or that bar of chocolates, grab that apple (or actually any other fruit) to satisfy your after-meal sweets cravings. Apples are rich in antioxidants and can lower cholesterol levels. Pro-tip: consume the skin too, to meet your fibre needs. Besides, haven’t you heard? An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
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4. Order no more than the amount you can eat
Let's be honest: how many times have you forced food down your throat although your stomach is already bloated? While reducing food wastage is superb, the better alternative would be to opt for smaller servings and avoid overeating. It can be as simple as telling the kitchen to serve a smaller scoop of rice or just holding orders off until your lunch or dinner group has finished all the food on the table.
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5. Look for the healthier choice label
Look out for the healthier choice label endorsed by the Health Promotion Board when grocery shopping. Products with the labels are lower in fat, sodium, and sugar and some are also higher in calcium and dietary fibre compared to other options within the same food category. Because on those days where you feel like you absolutely have to get your sugary drinks fix (we still do not approve!), the least you could do is to purchase those with lower sugar content right?
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Tea Cup and Almonds
A chronic muncher in your office or at home? Instead of snacking on chips and biscuits, a much healthier alternative is to snack on nuts or seeds. Specifically, almonds are loaded with healthy fats, vitamin E, fibre and proteins. Lowering blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure are some benefits of almonds. Sunflower seeds, too, are rich in fibre and are also packed full of good fats, vitamin E and other minerals.

The best part? These healthy snacks are as easy to store as your chips and do not even leave crumbs lying around!

1. Add a slice of lemon to your drinking water

Tired of making lofty healthy new year resolutions that never stick?

We all start the new year with lofty intentions: like how you’ll go for a yoga class after work or graze on every superfoods you can think of, for one.

But let’s face it; actually keeping these resolutions up can be tricky. After all, many of us can attest to slipping up on your healthy eating new year goals? The truth is that making healthy eating a sustainable part of our lifestyle is tough. Fortunately, not all is lost – not if you adopt these few simple healthy eating tips!

We share 7 easy tips endorsed by the dietitians of Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital on how you can create sustainable new year resolutions for a healthier, happier you. Browse them in the gallery above.

This article was contributed by Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

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