If you’re like many mums, healthy eating is one of the first things that comes to mind when you look toward making 2023 a good year. And while we all know the basics of healthy eating, it’s often easier said than done.

Most mums I know are simply too busy at this time of year to delve into the more scientific aspects of nutrition. The good news? There are some easy ways that you can start making healthy eating a habit – not just for 2023 but for the rest of your life. Here are six great ideas to get you going.

1. Find healthier substitutes

Giving up all the foods you love at once is a big ask – and there’s no reason you have to stop eating foods like pasta just because they’re not the smartest choices.

For example, you could switch out your carb-heavy and nutrient-devoid white pasta for fibre-rich whole wheat pasta. It may take some getting used to, so try using half of each kind at first to make the transition smoother.

Can’t bear the thought of giving up a creamy sauce? Try plant milk instead of cream! Coconut milk (the canned variety) is a personal favourite of mine!

2. Eat a rainbow

One easy rule of thumb you can follow to make sure you are eating a good variety of healthy food is eating a rainbow – but I’m not talking about M&Ms or Smarties.

Fruits and vegetables get their colour from the minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals they contain, which means that choosing produce in different colours is an easy way to make sure you’re getting a good variety of nutrients. Plus, it’s a feast for your eyes, which makes eating healthy foods more enjoyable.

3. Prep your veg

When you get home from the grocery store, take a few minutes to prep your veggies before you put them in the produce drawer and forget about them.

Having some sliced carrots, red peppers or cucumbers on hand means it’s as easy to grab a handful of veg as it is a handful of crisps when hunger strikes. It will also help you make salads much faster.

4. Eat your vegetables first

When you sit down to eat, start with your salad or vegetables before digging into the rest of the meal. Veg and lettuce take longer to chew, so it will help you slow down and get into the moment so you can avoid mindless eating. And filling up on the most nutritious foods first is an excellent strategy for healthier eating overall!

5. Cook at home more often

If you’re eating out a few nights a week, cooking at home more often can make a big difference to your waistline as well as your budget.

If you’re not into cooking, strive to find ways to make it more fun. This might mean putting on an interesting podcast while you cook or getting the kids to help and making it an opportunity for more family time.

Cooking at home helps you control what is in your food and has been associated with a better-quality diet, particularly among children.

6. Consistently make freezer meals

Not only is cooking at home healthier in general, but it also gives you a chance to use batch cooking so you can make a few homemade meals at once. In our meal plan membership, The Dinner Plan, I include one very simple batch cooking recipe each week. This means that mums can spend just a little extra time making one dinner per week to double or triple it.

After just a few weeks, you’ll have an impressive stash of freezer meals at the ready, which means there will be no need to get takeout or prepared foods. Plus, meal planning has been shown in studies to raise your likelihood of eating more nutrient-rich food. 

This means you’ll be able to jot down ‘no-cook-day’ a few times a week into your meal plan, and trust me, that feels impressively great! (And so, so good when your no-cook-days roll around and you know there’s no cooking to be done!)

As you can see, there are lots of ways to improve your diet that don’t require a great effort on your part. Plus, building healthy eating habits in childhood will serve your children throughout their lifetime!