Five tips for a more varied diet

You reached the stage in your diet plan, where you have eliminated fried, fatty, and processed food. Fantastic! Now the problem, is that you know how to make a few really healthy meals, and you're rotating them constantly. Boring!

So how do you add variety in to your diet? Quite simply, you research, and learn how to make more dishes. Honestly, this takes time, and effort. It's easy to find the recipes, but it's not always easy to make the meal. I can't even tell you how many recipes I find that *look* good, until I realize that all of the ingredients can only be acquired at a health food store, and the recipe takes three hours to make!

Here Are Five Suggestions For Finding New Recipes

1.Buy recipe books, or take them out from the library

This way, you have a bunch of recipes in one spot, without having to scour the Internet for hours. You may find that there is only one item in the whole book worth making, but that's okay. If you're rotating the same three meals throughout the week, it's worth it!

2. Recipes are already on your food's packaging

Look through your cupboards and refrigerator for recipes on the labels. I have found great meals on couscous boxes, low fat cream cheese containers, and even on cereal boxes. This method has a real advantage; you already have and enjoy the staple ingredient!

3. Ask Around

Recipe exchanges can be a really good thing because you get a real life review before you attempt to make the dish. Friends, family, co-workers, and online chat forums are a good place to start. Between the people you already know, there could be a ton of ideas right under your nose!

4. Use The Internet

Recipe databases are very popular. You can search recipes by ingredient, regional cuisine, preparation time, difficulty etc. Search engines are also useful in the same way. With literally millions of recipes at your fingertips, searching for new meal ideas when you have a spare minute is a nearly effortless and easy way to add variety to your daily meal routine.

5. Experiment

Try doing something crazy, and just wing it. You already know what's healthy, so be creative and make something new. For example: Pick up some fresh whole grain bread. Now, find some healthy vegetables such as red pepper, spinach and mushrooms. Add some low fat cheese and lean chicken strips (or vegetarian equivalent), and you have yourself a hearty, and delicious sandwich. Cut and bake some sweet potatoes, and ta-da! You have a very filling, healthy dinner. Easy!

It's not easy to have a perfect meal plan. While it takes time, and a little experimenting, every little step makes a huge overall difference. Keep working at it, and integrating new meals to the menu, and you'll do just fine!

Eat Well!

Kaleena Lawless Kaleena Lawless is a personal trainer in Toronto.
Visit her fitness blog
http://www.kalisthenixfitnessblog.com