We all want to become healthier, better versions of ourselves, but the question where do we start? Taking care of your health is a lifelong commitment. Trying to change all your habits at once can get overwhelming, but there are small changes that you can start making right away. Here are five ways to transform your health starting today.

1. Stick to Simple Ingredient Lists

When you're shopping for pre-packaged snacks or ready-made meals, look for foods with the simplest ingredient lists. The ingredient lists that are short and comprised of mostly whole foods that you recognize are a great place to start. This isn't to say you should be incredibly restrictive in your eating, but choosing mostly whole foods is a simple way to transform your health day by day.

2. Drink More Water

It sounds simple, but most of us still aren't drinking enough water. Set reminders on your phone, download water-tracking apps, or buy a fun water bottle to motivate you— whatever it takes! Our bodies depend on water, whether it's for flushing out toxins or keeping our skin hydrated and protected. When we're dehydrated, our bodies confuse thirst for hunger, causing us to overeat when we really just need water. Aim to drink half of your body weight in ounces each day.

3. Eat More Plants

Fruits and vegetables contain the necessary micronutrients for our health. From vitamins and minerals to high fiber content, it's no wonder we should be adding more plants to our plates. According to the USDA, if you eat around 2,000 calories per day, you should be eating around two and a half cups of veggies and two cups of fruits each day. This amount increases or decreases depending on your total calorie intake. The easiest way to eat more fruits and veggies is to mix them with other foods, such as sandwiches, smoothies, salads, and side dishes.

4. Enjoy Your Food

No lifestyle changes or eating choices will ever stick long-term if you aren't happy with them. Choose the foods you enjoy, and leave the rest off of the menu. There are plenty of recipes out there that put a healthy spin on typical favorite foods, such as burgers, pizza, and pasta. Find what you like, and don't restrict yourself to the point of anxiety and stress. A healthy lifestyle is all about balance, and we can choose to enjoy the food we prepare each day.

5. Make Your Eating Style Work for You

It's not enough to enjoy your healthy food— it should also fit into your lifestyle (at least the parts you don't want to change). If your healthy habits are constantly inconveniencing you, they're not going to stick for long. Your eating style should still allow you to enjoy life, go out to restaurants with friends and family, travel and eat food in new countries, and whatever else you love doing. If you've restricted your foods too much and struggle to eat outside of your own kitchen, consider changing up your eating plan to be less restrictive and more adaptable.

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