Sometimes, the smallest diet changes can yield the biggest results. If you’re looking to boost your energy, improve focus, and feel better all around, there are healthy changes you can make today. Nutrition experts agree that tiny, intentional tweaks to your daily habits can make a difference.
These adjustments don’t require extra time, expensive ingredients, or dramatic sacrifices. So, if you’re wondering where to start, we’ve rounded up expert-approved tips that will seamlessly fit into your routine.
Whether you’re trying to stay sharp at work, improve your overall health, or feel good in your skin, these 10 simple steps can help. Ready to start? Let’s dive in.
1. Add Nuts for Energy and Focus
Adding a handful of nuts, like almonds or walnuts, to a dish boosts protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. This simple swap fuels your body and keeps you full longer, curbing the urge to snack on less nutritious options. You can choose pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or peanuts if you have nut allergies.
2. Incorporate Plant-Based Meals
Replacing one meal a week for a plant-based option can make a big difference. You’d be surprised at how much more nutrition you’ll add to the week with just this one swap. It’s also an easy way to eat more whole, unprocessed foods. Here are a few plant-based meal ideas for a full week if you need ideas.
3. Cut Back on Alcohol
Reducing your alcohol intake can yield impressive benefits. “When I cut back on drinking alcohol (mainly wine) I noticed a huge difference in my health. I immediately lost weight, felt less inflammation,” says Lauren Plug, SEO Specialist at Copy by LP. 
And for those looking to cut it out completely, sobriety is a lot easier than it used to be. Sober curiosity is on the rise, including expanding mocktail menus at restaurants and alcohol-free bars. Many notice better sleep, improved brain function, more energy, and reduced inflammation almost immediately.
4. Increase Water Intake
Another one of the simplest and most impactful changes you can make is getting proper hydration. If drinking endless amounts of water sounds overwhelming, remember that drinking tea, fruit, vegetables, coconut water, smoothies, and even jello can count toward healthy hydration goals.
“Staying hydrated is an essential part of skincare, not just topically but internally,” says Judine Jasmin, MUA and Owner of Vier Beauty Spa. 
5. Add Nutrients to Every Meal
Did you know you can boost the nutritional value of any meal with simple add-ons? Let’s face it: Some changes won’t happen overnight, so try implementing them in small ways. For example, add more vegetable toppings to a pizza, toss a handful of spinach in your morning omelet, add nuts and berries to cereal or oatmeal, or create a more robust sauce or soup by adding roasted veggies. These can provide healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins without overhauling your diet.
6. Bulk Up Breakfast With More Protein
You hear it a lot, but you can’t make a list of healthy diet changes like this without including it – protein! Starting your day with a protein-packed breakfast sets you up for steady energy and focus. These are also budget-friendly and easy-on-the-go options: extra boiled eggs, greek yogurt with granola and fruit (pictured below), cottage cheese cups, adding a scoop of protein powder to oatmeal, or combining black beans to egg scramble for a high-protein burrito.
7. Cut Out Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks like soda and sweetened coffee can wreak havoc on your energy levels. Inge Von Aulock, Chief Wealth Builder at Invested Mom, recommends swapping sodas and flavored coffees for water, herbal teas, and occasionally sparkling water. 
8. Try Healthier Snacks
Nutrient-dense snack options help you feel fuller and better and curb your cravings. Avoid sugar crashes with simple and portable snack packs. Maybe air-fried sweet potato chips instead of Lays, air-popped popcorn instead of the cheddar stuff, or trail mix and protein bars for better satiation.
9. Cut Out Processed Foods
Eating ultra-processed foods can leave you feeling sluggish over time and can contribute to or exacerbate existing conditions. For Nicole Dunn, CEO of Dunn Pellier Media, cutting out processed foods, meal planning, and removing white carbs like potatoes and rice was a game-changer. 
10. Remove Gluten from Your Diet
For Stefanee Clontz, Director of Operations at Hydra+, removing gluten from her diet has been life-changing. 