Building Healthy Eating Habits (Jigsaw Puzzle!)

March is nutrition month at UBC and to celebrate, we would like to help you build healthy eating habits! Healthy eating may look and feel different for all of us but it comes down to this: It is not just what foods you eat, but also about when, where, why, and how you eat. Here are some tips on how to create healthy eating habits according to Canada’s Food Guide: Complete the jigsaw puzzle to fill in the blanks! [Hint: viewCanada’s food guide snapshot]

1. _______ of your eating habits

  • Be aware of your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviours before, during, and after you eat. This way, you can make healthier choices and create positive changes to your mealtime routine.
  • Create an eating environment that doesn’t have a lot of distractions as this can influence how much you eat and drink.

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2. ____ more often

  • Cooking and preparing your own food allows you to take control of what you’re putting inside your body. It is a great way to learn new skills and bond with your household. Not only that, you also get to save money by not eating out and choose healthy ingredients that make you ask for more.

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3. _____ your food

  • Healthy eating is not complete unless you enjoy what you’re eating. Some ways to do this is by trying out different culture and food traditions as well as getting creative with the meals you prepare if you’re on a budget.

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4. _______ with others

  • Eating with others is an enjoyable way to socialize and catch up with family and friends. Plan a brunch date with your friends over Zoom or have a weekly dinner with your household members. This is a good chance to connect and learn more about different healthy foods you don’t normally try.

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Change is not always easy and changing a habit can prove difficult for many of us. But, if you’re thinking about changing your eating habit to a healthier one, you’re already one step ahead of the game. Give yourself some grace and make small changes one step at a time. This way, you can maintain and progress your momentum. For more fun activities happening during nutrition month, check out the Nourish U webpage for more information.

*Excerpt Image Photo Credit: https://unsplash.com/@conscious_design