1. Don’t think of it as a diet, but a positive lifestyle change.

Each small change is important when creating a healthy new lifestyle, even if it’s as little as learning a new healthy recipe. Remember that all these changes will eventually add up. It’s also important to keep improving your diet by making small changes based on new knowledge and research.

2. Be a qualitarian.

There are many different types of elimination diets, but unless you have an allergy or are attempting to repair a damaged gut, food quality should be your first priority. The better the quality the better the food is for your health, especially animal products. You will also need to cook more, since most processed food uses cheap ingredients to make a profit. Believe it or not, by cooking more you will save money even when buying organic produce and grass-fed meat. By taking care of your body, you will also save on healthcare costs. Another plus, good quality food tastes better too.

3. Keep it out of the kitchen.

We all have our favorite foods that we can’t resist, especially if they are in the kitchen. Mine are ice cream and chips. So if I want them I have to get dressed, go to Whole Foods for a healthy version, and spend a ridiculous amount of money, all of which are great deterrents for not eating this food. I also try to keep only unprocessed ingredients in my kitchen. So if I want something to eat, I need to make it from scratch or grab something like a fruit or vegetable that I don’t need to cook. When I mean unprocessed ingredients I refer to meat, fish, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Raw dairy if you can tolerate it and nuts, seeds and dried beans if you prepare them properly. This is what most health circles refer to as Real Food.

4. It’s not all or nothing.

Unless you are on a strict elimination diet for a health problem, each meal is a new opportunity to do something good for your body. If you go off your diet, don’t get bummed out, just plan to do better the next time you eat. Don’t dwell on the past mistake, when you should be planning for the next healthy meal.

5. Be a foodie.

A lot of people associate dieting with deprivation, but that hardly needs to be the case. In fact, the more you enjoy your food the more likely you are to stick to your diet. So have fun in the kitchen with new healthy recipes. Enjoy shopping at the farmer’s market and health food stores. Healthy eating is not a cross to bear but a luxury we should appreciate and a trendy habit we should be proud of.

This post is on Healing with Food Friday.