Healthy Eating Tips and Plant-Based Recipes for 2022

If you're focusing on healthy eating habits in the new year, I want to make it easy for you.

So often, people give up on healthy eating because it becomes too complicated or they don't know where to start. It doesn't have to be this way. A few small steps can make a big difference!

Here are three of my top tips for eating healthier in 2022.

Shop Smart

Do most of your shopping around the grocery store's perimeter. Fill your cart with mainly fresh fruit and veggies, and keep processed items to a minimum. A few of my weekly staples include spinach (great for adding to almost anything, including smoothies!), bell peppers, berries and bananas. If you go for what's in season, you can even save a few bucks.

DIY Sauce

Pre-prepared sauces are often loaded with sugar, salt and preservatives. Skip the fillers and blend your sauces at home. Cashews, lemon, garlic and spices make an easy vegan ranch, while peanut butter, ginger, maple syrup and rice wine vinegar create a versatile Thai peanut sauce. Many sauces come together in 5 minutes or less!

Plan Ahead

So you don't want to spend your whole Sunday meal prepping? I don't blame you. You can, however, make a rough list of what you're going to eat for a week. Map out all the meals you plan to have each day, along with the snacks, to kick the habit of grabbing whatever is convenient. Try to eat around the same time each day to keep a healthy metabolism. When you are inconsistent with your eating (think: skipping meals, eating dinner late at night), your body won't know what to store or burn off.

Planning to go plant-based in 2022 (or even just incorporate more meatless days)?

I applaud you! Filling up on fresh foods from the earth helps keep your mind and body energized. I love beans and tofu for protein, spinach and kale for greens, potatoes and fruit for carbs, and nuts and avocado for fats. Below are some easy weekday vegan meal ideas I keep in regular rotation.

Veggie Fried Rice

Rice, tofu and edamame are the top things you need for this easy, plant-based dinner. Throw it all together in an Instant Pot with whatever veggies you have on hand, and you have yourself a meal! 

Lemon Dill Tofu & Rocket Salad

Quick, versatile and veggie-packed, this salad is just the pick-me-up you need to get through a busy afternoon. I often add arugula, cherry tomatoes and cucumber for a mix of flavor and texture. 

Pasta Fagioli Soup

My favorite type of soup to warm up with in winter! Soup is always a great option on busy nights – just chop up the ingredients, let the flavors meld together as they heat untouched on the stove and enjoy multiple servings to space out through the week. This soup features beans and pasta in a savory tomato base for an ultra-comforting combination. 

For more easy plant-based recipes, click here.