11 Handy Nutrition Hacks for Healthy Eating

Written by
Joan Hodges 
Improving your day-to-day nutrition can seem daunting, but if you’re feeling stuck, there are tons of nutrition “hacks” that will make eating well much easier.

Start practicing these hacks today to live a healthier lifestyle without even thinking about it.
Hone in on Problem Meals
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If you tend to order unhealthy takeout for dinner, develop a Sunday meal-prepping routine and delete the restaurant apps from your phone. If skipping breakfast is your vice, figure out easy meals to throw together each morning or plan to wake up just a little earlier to sit down and enjoy a full meal.

Often, just one or two mealtime habits are what ultimately sabotage our progress throughout the day, so start with your most challenging mealtime and go from there.
Grab Non-Perishable Samples
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Watch out for sample day at your favorite stores—some will have mini packages of nut butter, dried fruit or granola bars. These items are perfect to have on-hand while traveling, in your desk or as a pre-portioned midnight snack.

Also, many brands sell snack-size products that you can buy in bulk. These pre-packaged snacks are a great way to keep your calorie-count lower while still feeling satisfied.
Shop the Perimeter
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It's a well-known trick, but shopping the outside edges of the grocery store tends to lead you to the fresh, whole foods instead of the processed ones. Think fruits and vegetables, lean meats and dairy. Try to stay mostly in these areas, and you'll be well on your way to better health.
Make Your Own Sauce
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Cut out store-bought condiments and automatically reduce calories, artificial ingredients and added sugars in your diet. Plus, sauces are an amazing way to add tons of flavor while keeping nutrition in mind.

Make homemade honey mustard with yellow mustard, Dijon, mayo and lemon juice. Put together an Italian basil pesto with olive oil, pine nuts and fresh basil.
Stock Your Kitchen with the Right Tools
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Make eating healthy as easy as possible by having the right tools on hand in your kitchen. Several appliances can help you get more veggies in, such as a spiralizer for zucchini and sweet potato "spaghetti" or a cheese grater for "riced" cauliflower.

Having these items clean and handy can make fitting in extra vegetables extremely doable.
Always Make a Grocery List
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It's the oldest trick in the book, but planning your grocery store trip in advance can significantly reduce your impulse to buy items that are sabotaging your goals. A well thought out list gives you a blueprint to follow and promotes less waste in your pantry.

Also, be sure not to shop on an empty stomach. No list can get past a growling stomach. Strategy is the key to a successful shopping trip.
Use Small Plates
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Trick your brain into seeing larger portions by using a smaller plate. Though it takes less food, your plate will look full which will help you feel satisfied. Just make sure to size your plate to your ideal portion size, so you're not under-eating either. Chances are you already have a few, unused small plates in your cabinets.
Consider Water Variations
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Drinking water is simply one of the most nourishing habits for your body, but it can get boring. Try infusing your water with fruit or stock sparkling water in your fridge. These variations can give you the flavor without the added sugar or high fructose corn syrup that comes in sodas or fruit juices.
Use Greek Yogurt as a Substitute
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Plain Greek yogurt is your best friend in terms of its high protein content and versatility in almost any recipe. Use it in place of sour cream, oil, mayo and cream cheese.

Discovering healthier protein sources is a great nutrition hack for keeping you fuller for longer.
Rethink Your Sandwich
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There are so many different ways to make your sandwich come together. If bread is an absolute must, try creating your sandwich bruschetta style using only one slice of bread. The bonus here is that you can pile on more of the good stuff and focus on protein and veggies instead of the density of the bread.

For wraps, try lettuce in place of tortillas or apple slices in place of bread on a PB&J sammie. If you're using lettuce to hold your sandwich in place, be sure to pick a type that holds together well like iceberg or certain types of romaine.
Add Cinnamon to Coffee
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If you just can't hack black coffee and love the flavor of creamers, adding cinnamon to your coffee grounds will give you some of the sweetness and flavor you're looking for. If just the cinnamon isn't cutting it, try adding coconut cream, but always stay away from any brands loaded with artificial ingredients and added sugars.
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About the Author

Joan Hodges ACTIVE.com Contributor
Joan Hodges writes nutrition articles for ACTIVE.com. As a health and wellness blogger based in Dallas, Texas, she has been inspired by her own journey of full mental and physical recovery. Joan is a devout yogi, dog lover and self-love advocate. You can read about her health journey here.