Image by wichai bopatay from Pixabay
by Elizabeth Magee, LRD
Trying to get out of a food rut in 2026? I won’t admit it to those in my house, but really, everything I make (if I decide to cook) is either tacos, spaghetti (featuring spaghetti squash), or soup. And if no one is home, chips and salsa = dinner. People are picky, I’m lazy, and gosh, groceries are expensive.
Nevertheless, I decided that instead of removing things from my diet, I would try something more positive: adding rather than taking away. So here are my top four additions.
- Beans, lentils, legumes – except for peas – I’m never going to eat peas. They are an inexpensive source of protein, whether you’re looking to cut back on meat or just add more nutrition or bulk to a meal. They are a great addition to my taco meat, especially if extra dinner guests show up. And let’s not forget they are an incredible source of fiber. They are also super shelf-stable. You can use dried or canned, so they can hang out in the pantry until you are ready.
- Chia and Flax seeds – clearly fiber is in my goal for eating in 2026. I used to add flax seeds to so many things, and for some reason, I just stopped. My daughter likes chia pudding (chia seeds, yogurt, and some milk – topped with berries), and it’s a great breakfast you can make ahead of time, and get a serving of calcium, protein, and fiber that will help keep you fuller for longer.
- Berries – simple enough. I just don’t eat as much fruit as I should. It’s harder in the winter, but I like frozen berries – so that helps with availability and keeping costs down, not to mention food waste from throwing away moldy berries. Berries give me a huge boost of antioxidants to help avoid health issues, but also to help my aging skin look youthful. And…more fiber!!
- More whole foods. I’ve been sucked in by convenient processed foods because they are EASY. Sometimes it’s just me at home, and who wants to cook for one? Costco offers me so many options that it’s hard not to make processed foods the easy choice. However, I’m going to make an effort to be better about planning my grocery lists. And maybe even plan a meal! If I start with one week, that is more of a homemade situation than a store-bought freezer situation, it’s a win. Even if it ends up being a partially homemade meal, I’m calling it a win! It will probably require me to take baby steps to get there, but I’m fully capable of doing it.
Should I be adding more? Yes! But change is hard. These are all foods that are readily available to me, within my budget, and at my skill level – let’s see if I can do it!
I encourage you to try to add to your nutrition rather than taking away, too. A more positive spin can make you more successful!
Elizabeth Magee is a licensed registered dietitian. Her posts appear monthly on OYT.
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