To change your nutrition habits, one option is to pick a focus in one of three categories: behavior, food and nutrition, or physical activity. Whatever you choose, try doing it consistently for a week, and once it becomes routine, add in another focus.

The new year is a traditional time to take stock and make resolutions. If changing your nutrition habits is on your list, these Lawrence dietitians have some suggestions.

Patty Metzler, registered dietitian and nutritionist at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, wants people to focus on the positive.

“I’m more of a non-‘diet’ person, because I don’t see it as a solution,” Metzler said. “A diet is a short-term thing. If you lose weight on a diet, you’ll often gain it back.”

Metzler and Kylene Etzel, registered dietitian at Hy-Vee on Clinton Parkway, instead try to guide people toward strategies that help them change their lifestyles.

Etzel asks people to pick a focus in one of three categories: behavior, food and nutrition, or physical activity. Whatever you choose, try doing it consistently for a week. Maybe that means taking a walk after dinner in the physical activity category.

“Maybe someone found the perfect water bottle and decides to start drinking more water,” she said.

When that addition becomes part of your day consistently, consider adding something else.

Metzler’s focus on positivity may require people to change their attitude when it comes to eating.

“If they want to make one change in the new year, it’s eating those fruits and vegetables and cooking simple meals that include those fruits and vegetables,” Metzler said.

In general, we have gotten away from cooking at home, Metzler said. “If you cook more at home, then you know you have the foods on hand to make a healthy meal.”

And it doesn’t have to be a three-course meal. Simple is key, she said. Think of keeping options on hand such as vegetables, brown rice and proteins such as chicken.

“Do more shopping and be more attentive to it,” Metzler said. “If your budget is limited, you can still buy what’s in season or what’s on sale.” For example, the Merc and Dillons regularly have marked-down produce, which can be used right away to make soups.

Planning and shopping ahead are a part of making cooking at home a regular occurrence.

“Have a list, and shop from that list,” Metzler said. “Make soups ahead; make sloppy joes ahead. Always have ingredients for a salad. You’ll be less tempted to go out and pick up something on the way home.”

Etzel reiterated the idea of planning ahead and eating at home.

“Planning meals for the week can help save time and avoid making a less healthy choice when you’re hungry, tired and not feeling like making anything,” she said.

Etzel says when your resolve starts to give, remind yourself why you wanted to make these changes in the first place. Post pictures of your family or notes about your goals where you can see them.

“When folks come in, they’re really down and feel like they should do more,” she said. “I remind them that we tend to put ourselves last, but you are just as important as your family, and to do these things we do on a daily basis, we also need to be healthy.”