Design Your Kitchen to Inspire Healthy Eating

It’s the start of the new year — the perfect time to get your diet back on track. And by designing your kitchen just right, you’ll set yourself up for success. Here are a few adjustments you can make that will inspire you to make healthier food choices:

Put your produce on display. A colorful fruit or veggie display keeps healthy snacks top of mind — plus it’s a great way to brighten up the kitchen. Position it so that it’s the first thing you see when you walk into the room.

Keep herbs within easy reach. Fresh herbs are a healthy way to spice up your meal so you can cut down on less healthy options like butter and oil. Pick up a few herb plants or store dried herbs in a spice rack or mason jars.

Reorganize your fridge and pantry. Store nutritious foods front and center and less healthy options where they’re harder to find. Tip — wash and prep fruits and veggies so they’re easy to grab when hunger hits.

Up, up and away! Take those irresistible temptations and hide them far, far away – down in the basement or up high in a cabinet that you need a ladder to reach.

Clear the counter. You’re much more likely to prepare healthy meals if you have room to cook. Except for items you use on a regular basis, leave plenty of empty counter space.

Let there be light. It’s a lot easier to cook when you can see what you’re doing. Install task lighting to make chopping and dicing easier on the eyes. (For instance, light strips could be used under cabinets while a light fixture might work well over an island.)

Place items you use frequently in easy reach. If you have to dig through messy cabinets to find your blender, steamer, or food processor, you’re less likely to use them. Make sure these types of items are easy to access.

Create a tea station. Did you know that drinking tea can reduce junk food cravings? Set up a tea station with cups, saucers, sweeteners, and a variety of teas. Add a pop of color with a stylish kettle.

Turn up the tunes. Make cooking more fun by playing your favorite playlist or podcast. Before you know it, you might find yourself getting ahead on the entire week’s meal prep.

Consider a spot for a laptop or small TV. Do you often reference recipes online or from a cooking show? Find somewhere you can safely place a TV or laptop.

Support your feet. If you’re going to be on your feet for a while, put an anti-fatigue mat where you’ll be spending most of your time. You could also stash some gym shoes in a drawer nearby.

Take inventory. Use a whiteboard or chalkboard to keep a list of healthy foods you have on hand so it’s easy to see all your options. You can also use it to write down your grocery list.

Once you’ve designed your kitchen just right, you’ll likely find that eating healthy becomes second nature.