Plan Your Plate

March 6, 2025

WITH THE TEMPTATIONS of tasty treats all around you, healthy eating can be a challenging feat. But with a little planning, you can enjoy yourself without abandoning your goals.

“It’s all about balance,” says Ashley Curnow, RDN, registered dietitian and nutritionist at Huron Regional Medical Center. “You can have some treats, but also work in the healthier foods that our bodies deserve.”

MAKING PROGRESS WITH SMALL STEPS

Curnow recommends three ways to stay on track. “Food journaling allows you to be more mindful of the choices you’re making,” Curnow says. “Intermittent fasting can help you allocate your calories if you know you’ll be having treats, and increasing your movement helps your body process those treats.”

If you find that you’re struggling to meet your goals, you’re not alone. Danielle Rathjen, DNP, adult medicine nurse practitioner at HRMC, says that you should give yourself grace and remind yourself that every day is a new day.

“We are all a work in progress,” Rathjen says. ”Making small, healthy changes that you can incorporate into everyday life is the key to success. These changes often spark additional positive change.”

■ For help with your nutrition and weight loss goals, find a provider at www.huronregional.org/find-a-doc.