10 Kitchen Make Over Tips for Weight Loss Success (part 2)
Last week, we looked at the first 5 tips on how to make over your kitchen for optimal weight loss.
This week, we will explore 5 more ways to get you on your best path to success! Makeover your kitchen in one swoop or start adding one change at a time – either way, you’ll be on your way to a healthier weight.
6. Make food prep easy and fun
Okay, so you might not have the time or money for a home renovation right now. But there are a few small tweaks that can take your kitchen from mindless munching zone to healthy cooking hot spot.
Remove the TV, bar stools and comfy chairs; these encourage lounging and boredom snacking.
Leave your cutting board on the counter for easy access to chopping veggies, and make sure your kitchen has good lighting and clean surfaces so that meal prep feels bright, cheery and hassle-free.
Keep a radio or phone speakers in the kitchen to play music while you cook—and maybe even dance– while you’re waiting for the oven to pre-heat.
7. De-clutter your counters
Clear your counters of everything except a bowl of beautiful, fresh fruit, a cutting board and a blender. Even if your kitchen is tiny, find a way to shove any chips, cookies or cereal boxes into the pantry.
Move any unhealthy stuff to the back of the cabinet where you can’t see it and put the healthy foods you want to eat up front. Arrange the shelves so you notice the good foods first because you’re less likely to reach for stuff in the back.
8. Eat at the table, but leave the serving plates in the kitchen
Eating meals at the table at set meal times can set a great example for your family. Establish a routine of having structured, planned meals at the together, but instead of family-style dining with platters and bowls placed in the middle of the table, try buffet style in the kitchen.
Plate foods in the kitchen from cookware on the stove or serving bowls on the counter. You are more likely to pass on seconds if those serving trays aren’t right in front of you.
9. Portion out leftovers before you put them away
Instead of wrapping up leftovers after dinner and putting them in the fridge, portion them out into storage containers before you even sit down to the table. That creates steps between you and the food, as well as extra work. If you want more, you’ll have to unpack and reheat it.
It helps if you store leftovers in separate serving sized containers instead of one large dish. This ensures you aren’t overeating at your next meal. Plus, it makes it much easier to pack tomorrow’s lunch.
10. Store unhealthy leftovers in the back
Wrap leftovers and unhealthy snacks in tin foil or keep them in opaque containers. If it’s something especially unhealthy, like baked good and sweet desserts, wrap it up and store it in the freezer. Wrap slices of cake or muffins individually so you don’t have to defrost the entire batch.
You’ll have to search for it and defrost before eating—and that gives you a lot of time to reconsider.
Question: Do you have kitchen hacks that help you stay on track?
Looking for more guidance on creating a meal plan that works for you. We offer habit-based nutrition coaching. This approach gives you the freedom to eat in ways that feel good to you and your body.
