How to Help Your SO Start Eating Healthy

How to Help Your SO Start Eating Healthy

Helping a loved one make healthy lifestyle changes can be tricky. You want to support them, but you do not want to nag them! If your significant other wants to start eating healthy, bossing them around and telling them what they “should” or “should not” can put too much pressure on them and make them feel judged. Ultimately, this can be discouraging and counterproductive.

It is therefore best to encourage healthy eating with positivity, rather than negativity. This can be done through acts of generosity, fun activities, and words of inspiration. Unfortunately, most people receive harsher forms of support or none at all! That’s why I have put together five helpful strategies to help your SO get started on healthier eating in an exciting way.

Make a Delicious, Healthy Meal for Them 

One reason why your SO might not be eating healthy is that they simply do not know how delicious it can be! There is a common misconception that a clean diet swaps out all good-tasting foods for boring and bland ones. Whipping up a delightful, healthy meal for your loved one is a great way to change their mind about this. Some of my favorite recipes are vegan pesto kelp noodles, steamed halibut in ginger and turmeric, and bun-less burgers with fried egg. Once they try these, they will be wondering how something so yummy can be so good for you and keep asking for more!

Cook Together

Another great way to help your SO start eating healthy is to make a fun activity out of it. Preparing a meal together is a great opportunity to teach them how to make healthy food, bond over the joy of cooking, and show off your bomb culinary skills! While grocery shopping beforehand, you can point out which ingredients are healthy to use and give your SO a mini nutrition lesson. After cooking, you can set the table nicely, light a candle, savor your gourmet meal, and have a romantic night in.

Show Them Your Favorite Healthy Spots

Eating out can also be an enjoyable way to introduce healthy eating to your SO. Plan to have your next date night at one of your favorite restaurants that offer delicious, healthy options. Once you are seated, you can show your SO which nutritious items on the menu you usually like to get and give them some tasty suggestions. Another option is to help them pick out a couple of yummy dishes for you to share. If you live in London or NYC, check out my favorite date night restaurants for recommendations!

Use Fitness as Motivation

Does your SO want to lean out, bulk up, build strength overall, or get better at a sport? The right diet can make all the difference in helping them achieve their athletic goals and preferred body composition. Show your SO that there are tons of healthy meals and snacks that will support their endeavors, from arugula salad with steak, to paleo bagels with lox, to overnight chia pudding, to even croque madame waffles! They will be happy to fuel their body with healthy foods for a higher purpose.

Encourage them to Use a Health and Fitness App

Starting to eat healthy might feel like an intimidating endeavor for your SO at first, but using a food-recording app can make it easier for them to gain insight on their nutrition. It can also be a great way to set specific goals and track their progress. As a bonus, certain apps have a sharing function—so if your SO wants you to hold them accountable, they can send you their foods of the day! You can find more of the best health and fitness apps here.