7 Food-Focused New Year’s Resolutions That Have Nothing to Do With Weight Loss

Early January feels like a minefield for anyone trying to cultivate a healthy relationship with food. You’ve just spent the last few weeks eating basically whatever you want during the holidays, and suddenly, there’s a ton of pressure to make a resolution to throw out all the leftover pie and mashed potatoes you have stashed in the fridge in favor of bland, leafy salads and overpriced green smoothies.

But January is long, cold and, frankly, depressing for many of us. It actually seems like the worst time to ditch the warming, comforting foods we spend all December enjoying, instead opting for raw vegetables and frozen fruit all to drop a few pounds at the beginning of the year.

I personally love setting resolutions for the new year, but the preoccupation with losing weight at the beginning of the year just has to stop. There are simply more interesting goals to set for yourself for the year ahead. But just because you’ve decided not to try to drop weight doesn’t mean your New Year’s resolutions can’t be focused on food. Here are some of the resolutions you may want to consider if you want to reevaluate the role food plays in your life.

1. Eat in season more.

There are so, so many reasons to consider eating in season more. First of all, your produce is simply going to taste better. You know how grainy and pale tomatoes get in the winter? That’s because they’re not actually in season during the colder months of the year. Opt for carrots, carrots and cabbage in the winter if you want more delicious produce. Not only will these foods taste better, but they’ll also be less expensive than out-of-season produce, which has to be shipped in from farther away. Plus, it’s easier to buy from local producers if you choose to eat in season.

2. Waste less food.

People in the United States waste 80 million pounds of food each year, which means that a huge portion of the food in your fridge is probably going bad before you get the chance to eat it. Not only is that not ideal for the planet—it takes resources to produce and transport that food, after all—but it also means most of us are just throwing money away on a weekly basis. Try to find creative ways to use leftovers and food scraps in the kitchen, and you’ll find yourself saving money and eating more sustainably.

3. Save money at the grocery store.

Do you cringe every time you look at your monthly grocery bill? January might be the best time to reevaluate your food spending habits. Do you always buy huge bags of kale that, deep down, you know you’re never going to consume in their entirety? Consider purchasing smaller bunches of greens. Or maybe you have a tendency to buy name-brand products over the store-brand options. In that case, you can switch to cheaper essentials as you see fit. Small changes can make a big difference when you get to the checkout.

4. Learn to make a few new dishes.

We all get into a cooking rut from time to time, especially during the winter when you don’t really feel like cooking. Why not learn to make a few new dishes you can add to the rotation? This can be as simple as learning how to make a roux from scratch, but experienced home cooks can try more complicated recipes, like croissants or Beef Wellington. Give these new recipes a try on your own at first, then hone your skills by making them for friends and family.

5. Host more dinner parties.

One of the best ways to make your meal more nutritious? Eat it with another person. There are countless benefits to eating with other people, from building social connections to improving mental health. Getting a group of friends together to feast can help create a stronger social circle and give you something to look forward to during the week. Consider hosting a monthly gathering over food. 

6. Curb your food delivery addiction.

Food delivery is easy, convenient and a simple way to brighten up your day when your responsibilities seem overwhelming. But let’s be honest: Considering that delivery apps jack up food prices, it’s actually a pretty terrible way to spend your money. That’s not even considering the shameful working conditions that many food delivery drivers face. Buy frozen prepared food at the grocery store so you won’t feel the need to order in as much, or plan ahead of time and meal prep during the weekend so delivery won’t seem like such a great option.

7. Give Meatless Mondays a try.

Meat production accounts for a large portion of carbon emissions (estimates range from around 15 to 20%), so cutting down on your meat consumption can be a step in a more climate-friendly direction. Give Meatless Mondays a try if you’re looking for an easy way to eat less meat without going fully vegan or vegetarian. Instead of choosing mass-produced, industrial meatless products, opt for staples like beans, tofu and tempeh for a healthier, tastier and less capitalism-bolstering option.

Samantha Maxwell is a food writer and editor based in Boston. Follow her on Twitter at @samseating.