I'm a post-95s generation person who has always been a loyal supporter of food delivery freedom. My daily life consisted of endless scrolling through delivery apps, and my occasional cooking attempts usually ended in failure. However, two years ago, due to a "small warning" in my health checkup report, I began my journey towards healthy eating. To be honest, it was really difficult at first, but looking back now, it was definitely one of the best decisions I've ever made. Today, I'd like to share my journey over these two years, hoping to inspire those who also want to make a change.
Shopping is truly a significant subject! I remember when I first started changing my eating habits, I was like a headless fly every time I went to the supermarket. I would throw anything that seemed healthy into my shopping cart, only to find out I couldn't match them properly at home, and many ingredients would silently spoil in the refrigerator. After countless trials and errors, I finally developed a reliable shopping strategy.
First, weekend planning is super important. Now, every Sunday afternoon, I spend about half an hour sitting on my balcony, drinking coffee, and using my phone's notes app to list out next week's menu. This process isn't boring at all; instead, it makes me look forward to the upcoming meals. I plan according to seasonal ingredients, buying more refreshing vegetables and fruits in summer, and warming root vegetables in winter.
Shopping lists require technique too. I divide my list into sections like fresh produce, staples, seasonings, etc., arranged according to the supermarket's layout, so I can shop systematically without missing or overbuying items. One important reminder: never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach! Once I went shopping while hungry, and half my cart ended up being snacks, completely defeating the purpose of healthy eating.
When it comes to food storage, I'm quite skilled. I've divided my fridge into several zones: the most visible spot for cut fruits and vegetables, like carrot sticks, celery stalks, and cherry tomatoes, so they're the first thing I see when opening the fridge, making them the natural choice when I want a snack. The middle shelf is for refrigerated staples, like pre-cooked brown rice and quinoa. As for snacks, I keep them in a less conspicuous drawer, following the "out of sight, out of mind" principle.
The same goes for storage cabinets. I bought many airtight containers for various grains, nuts, and dried fruits. Each container is labeled with the purchase date and expiration date, making it both neat and practical. I especially love seeing these colorful ingredients arranged neatly on the shelves, making life feel more ceremonial.
The biggest change would be my kitchen management. From someone who would burn even fried eggs to now being able to prepare various healthy and delicious dishes, this process wasn't as difficult as it might seem - the key is having the right method.
I now particularly like the concept of "Sunday meal prep day." Every Sunday afternoon, I spend two to three hours in the kitchen preparing staples and common ingredients needed for the week. For example, I'll cook a large pot of brown rice, then divide it into containers and put them in the fridge. Although brown rice takes longer to cook, it has much higher nutritional value than white rice, and preparing it in advance solves the time-consuming problem of cooking during weekdays.
The same principle applies to vegetable preparation. I wash and cut durable vegetables like carrots, celery, and cucumbers, then store them in containers. This way, when I want to make a salad or cook, the ingredients are ready to go. However, it's important to note that more delicate vegetables like lettuce and spinach should be prepared just before use to maintain freshness.
Marinating ingredients is another of my secret weapons. On weekends, I cut chicken breast into small pieces, marinate them with different seasonings, then package and freeze them. My most common marinade is lemon juice with ginger, plus a bit of olive oil and black pepper - simple yet delicious. Fish fillets get similar treatment, though with shorter marinating times. This way, I can just quickly pan-fry them when I get home for a delicious protein source.
Kitchen gadgets are also key to improving efficiency. I got an air fryer, which is absolutely amazing for healthy cooking. It's super convenient for cooking chicken breast and vegetables, and requires very little oil. I also have a blender, which is great for making fruit and vegetable juices or protein shakes.
To be honest, when I first started changing my eating habits, it was really painful. Something that could be solved by simply ordering takeout now required cooking myself and considering nutritional balance - it felt overwhelming. However, once you gradually form habits, you'll find it's not as difficult as imagined.
My advice is to never set extremely strict goals from the start. For instance, I initially only set myself a simple goal: eat at least one homemade salad every day. This goal was so simple it was almost impossible to fail, and completing it gave me a sense of achievement. Only after this habit was established did I gradually add new goals.
I learned about mindful eating from a book, and after trying it, I found it really helpful. Specifically, it means focusing completely on your food while eating, experiencing its taste, aroma, and texture. Don't scroll through your phone or watch TV while eating. It might feel boring at first, but after persisting for a while, you'll find you can better control your portions because you're more aware of feeling full.
Now I use special tableware for meals and pay particular attention to food presentation. Some might think this is too troublesome, but I see it as showing respect for both the food and myself. Plus, when you make food look beautiful, eating becomes more enjoyable.
Portion control is also very important. I bought a set of measuring cups and a kitchen scale to control food portions. At first, you might need to weigh and calculate, but over time, you'll be able to gauge appropriate portions by feeling. For example, a suitable portion of protein is about the size of your palm, and a portion of carbohydrates is about the size of your fist.
When it comes to healthy eating, beverages are definitely not to be ignored. I used to be a typical "thirst ignorer," drinking nothing but milk tea and coffee all day, resulting in frequent dry mouth and poor skin condition. Now I finally understand how important adequate water intake is for the body.
I bought myself a beautiful glass water bottle with a 1000ml capacity. I marked different time points on the bottle with colored stickers, like where to drink to by 10 AM and 3 PM. This helps remind me to stay hydrated throughout the day. Plus, the glass bottle is environmentally friendly, and watching water sparkle in the sunlight makes drinking water feel more ceremonial.
If plain water seems boring, you can make your own healthy beverages at home. My favorite is fruit-infused water, with sliced lemon, lime, and orange, plus a few mint leaves - it's not only beautiful but also refreshing. In summer, I like cucumber slices with mint leaves, which is especially cooling. These infused waters can be prepared in the morning and kept in the fridge to drink throughout the day.
Tea is also a great choice. Now I brew a cup of green tea every morning, which helps with both alertness and metabolism. In the afternoon, I switch to chrysanthemum or chamomile tea to help relax. In the evening, I choose caffeine-free herbal teas like rose tea or mint tea.
Healthy eating is truly a long-term commitment that requires patience and perseverance. I think the most important thing is to adjust your mindset - don't see it as a restriction or punishment, but as an investment in yourself.
During this process, there will inevitably be times when you lose control. I remember once eating an entire bag of chips while trying to de-stress, and I felt really guilty afterward. But then I realized that occasional indulgence isn't a big deal - the key is getting back on track quickly. So now I set myself a "reward day," usually on weekends, when I can relax a bit and eat some foods I normally wouldn't.
The biggest gain from these two years has been discovering that healthy eating can actually be very interesting. It's not just about eating and drinking; it's a change in lifestyle. Through this process, I've learned how to take care of myself and have come to better appreciate food and life.
Now I'm full of energy every day, my work efficiency has improved, and my skin condition is much better. Most importantly, I've found my own healthy lifestyle, which makes me feel particularly secure and happy.
Looking back at the changes over these two years, I really feel it was worth it. Although it required significant time and energy at first, it resulted in better physical condition and quality of life. Now I not only have a more standard weight, but my mood has also become more positive and sunny.
What surprised me most was discovering many new food possibilities through this process. Healthy food can actually be very delicious; the key is putting your heart into researching and trying. Now my friends call me a food expert and often ask me for recipes and advice.
Actually, the most important thing about healthy eating isn't completely prohibiting certain foods, but learning to balance. Like life itself, appropriate relaxation and enjoyment are necessary - the key is finding your own balance point.
Finally, I want to say that it's never too late to change. If you also want to start a healthy eating journey, why not begin today? Trust me, when you really start taking action, you'll find the process much more interesting than you imagined.
Looking forward to seeing your stories and insights in the comments!
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