As part of my nutrition overhaul, I’ve gone through my house removing things that aren’t in line with my new food plan.

Now, we Canadians are not exactly known for our healthy eating habits. Our claims to culinary fame? Poutine, pies, and pastries of every variety. So let me just say, this was not an easy exercise.

I cleared out the leftover Christmas chocolates, and got rid of the soft drinks. All the white bread got swapped for whole grain. 2% milk replaced with 1%. The list goes on and on and on.

To finish off the process, I had to add some new things to replace those that were lost. I have to eat something, after all. So, my fridge is now stocked with fruits and veggies and other healthy things instead.

Aside from the occasional odd craving (last night, for example, I was dying for Kraft Dinner) but other than that it’s going really well.

Planning a food detox of your own?

Here are a few tips from my experience:

  1. Be ruthless. I had to give away or toss out some things I genuinely adore. Bottom line, you have to try to think of food as fuel. If it’s not good fuel then it’s got to go.
  2. Substitution is key. Getting rid of crunchy potato chips? Replace it with a healthy crunchy alternative. Do you often eat bad snack food in the car on your way home from work? Stock the glove box with almonds or some other easy (but healthy) snack food. Make sure that when you reach for your usual unhealthy foods, there’s something better waiting in it’s place.
  3. Try to enjoy it! I had a really hard time eating healthy when I started this because I had just closed my mind to it for so long. Now that I’m actually doing well with making better choices, I can honestly say I’m as happy to be eating a good piece of grilled chicken with some broccoli as I was to be eating a pizza a few months ago.

Leave a comment if you’ve got any tips or advice I can add to my list. I’d love to hear how you keep your food choices healthy, or how your own food detox went!