Okay, this one may not be so obvious. But, it is of the utmost importance when it comes to sticking to a healthy diet. A lack of sleep can disrupt your digestion, and if this continues over time can lead to inflammation and chronic disease. Getting 8 hours of sleep consistently will help keep your digestion on track and regular.

This one might seem obvious, but you would be surprised how many people fail to drink enough water and properly hydrate themselves. Hydration can disrupt hunger cues, so by not drinking enough water, you might be overeating when what your body actually needs is water.

We all know the feeling of biting into a big juice tomato, but it isn’t what we were expecting… The explosion of flavor you were expecting seems… dull, bland, and lacking. Out of season veggies are often shipped around the world, frozen, or grown in unnatural environments. This means not only are they generally less flavorful, but also less nutritious.

Shopping local is a great way to guarantee you are getting fresh and seasonal vegetables – which are crucial to maintaining a healthy diet. Roughly 9% of Americans meet their daily recommended veggie requirement. That means 91% are not getting enough fiber to aid digestion, and the natural anti-inflammatory benefits that only fresh produce can offer. You might also want to read our article about the lectin-free diet.

If you have no food at home, you aren’t going to cook. It seems obvious, but it has to be said. By not doing regular grocery shopping you are opening yourself up for “convenience store” shopping and regularly ordering takeout. That means more chips and pizza, and less healthy thought out home-cooked meals.

Most grocery stores are open all day and night, so find a time and day of the week that works for you. Make it a habit, and go with a plan. We recommend planning an entire week’s worth of meals out before you go to the grocery store. This means you have less room for impulse purchases and are forced to put thought into what you will eat for the week following your grocery shopping trip. Pizza three days a week is a lot less appealing when you have to write it down on paper a week ahead of time.

Also, keep in mind that by cooking for yourself you have more control over what goes into your meals, and portion sizes. All restaurants have competitors, and one way to get a leg up on that competition is by offering larger than average portions. If this becomes your normal, you can be overeating day after day and have no idea.

Eating less may seem like a good idea, but actually isn’t doing much to help. Skipping meals can leave you feeling sluggish and even slow your metabolism. More often than not it leads to binge eating later in the night, and we all know that eating too much before bed is not a great way to maintain a healthy weight or get a full restful night’s sleep.

Eating less may seem like a good idea, but actually isn’t doing much to help. Skipping meals can leave you feeling sluggish and even slow your metabolism. More often than not it leads to binge eating later in the night, and we all know that eating too much before bed is not a great way to maintain a healthy weight or get a full restful night’s sleep.