Let’s be honest, most of us want to eat healthier. We know it’s good for our energy, our skin, our mood, and even our sleep. But somehow, even with the best of intentions, we find ourselves grabbing takeout or skipping meals altogether. So, what’s the deal?

After chatting with people about their eating habits, some very clear patterns emerged. Turns out, it’s not just about willpower, it’s about real-life obstacles. From time crunches to kitchen confidence, here are the top 3 challenges people face when trying to eat healthy and what to do about them.

Challenge #1: “I Don’t Have Time”

Time is the #1 complaint, and it makes sense. Between work, kids, errands, and trying to have a social life, who has time to prep a beautifully balanced, Pinterest-worthy meal with three sides and a drizzle of something fancy on a Tuesday?

The challenge: Healthy eating often gets equated with time-consuming meal prep or elaborate recipes. When life gets hectic, it’s easy to default to fast food or skip meals entirely.

The solution: Stock your fridge and pantry with quick, healthy options that don’t require cooking at all.

• Washed and cut fruit (grapes, berries, or apple slices)
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Hummus and baby carrots
• Rotisserie chicken
• Pre-washed salad greens + clean dressing
• Tortillas (like Rise & Puff 😉) you can quickly toast and fill with whatever’s in your fridge

You don’t have to cook from scratch to eat well. You just need to have grab-and-go options that don’t derail your goals.

Challenge #2: “I Don’t Have Healthy Food at Home”

Raise your hand if you’ve ever stared into a fridge of random condiments and a shriveled zucchini, wondering what on earth to make.

The challenge: When healthy food isn’t readily available, it’s hard to make good choices in the moment. And by the time you’re hungry, the idea of shopping, cooking, and cleaning feels impossible.

The solution: Meal prepping doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Even prepping just a few components can make a huge difference:

• Roast a tray of veggies
• Cook a pot of rice or quinoa
• Grill or bake some protein
• Chop a few veggies to use throughout the week

Bonus tip: Designate one night a week (Sunday is popular) as your "reset night" to prep and stock your fridge for success. You’ll thank yourself on Wednesday at 6:45 PM when you're hungry and exhausted.

Also, keep clean ingredient ready-made options in the freezer for emergency meals. There’s no shame in store-bought help, just check those labels.

Challenge #3: “I Don’t Know How to Cook”

Believe it or not, this came up a lot. Cooking can feel intimidating, especially with Instagram-perfect meals flooding your feed.

The challenge: Not everyone grows up cooking, and even fewer people feel confident enough to whip up something nutritious without a recipe. When cooking feels hard, people tend to avoid it altogether.

The solution: You don’t need to become a chef overnight. Start by finding one or two simple, healthy recipes you like. Ask a friend who’s great in the kitchen to share their easiest go-to. Or find someone on social media who shares simple, approachable meals using real ingredients.

Also, it’s totally okay to lean on healthy shortcuts:

• Pre-chopped veggies
• Frozen stir-fry blends
• Jarred clean sauces or marinades
• Pre-marinated proteins
• Quesadillas you can just heat and eat (you know the ones 😉)

The more approachable healthy cooking feels, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Make Healthy Eating Work for You

The secret to eating healthy isn’t about perfection or rigid rules. It’s about building systems that support your real life. Set yourself up for success by:

• Keeping healthy staples on hand
• Meal prepping a little (not a lot!)
• Finding cooking inspiration that actually fits your vibe

Most importantly, give yourself grace. You don’t have to eat perfectly to eat well. A little planning goes a long way, and you’ve totally got this!

Sources:

1. Harvard Health Publishing – Simple changes to improve your eating habits
2. Cleveland Clinic – Healthy eating on a budget and time crunch
3. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Cooking tips for beginners