BREAK YOUR BAD EATING HABITS
Breaking bad eating habits will be no easy task! It will involve hard work and strong willpower to make the necessary changes to better your eating habits.
Take a day to reflect on your meal plans, where you eat your meals, and the time of day you eat. Do you eat your meals at the same time everyday? In front of the television or on your phone? Do you eat fast food or take out multiple times during the week? Overtime, bad habits develop and you may not even realize it.
Here are some quick fixes for some of the most common habits that can cause you to pack on the pounds.
ADVICE FOR BREAKING BAD EATING HABITS
1. The Bad Habit: Mindless Eating
Mindless eating means you are not paying attention to what you are eating and the portion size. To fix this issue, eat from smaller bowls or plates and never eat straight from the package or container.
2.The Bad Habit: Nighttime Snacks
Eating at night is never a good idea, especially right before bed. Rule of thumb- after dinner, think of the kitchen and pantry as being closed and prepare yourself for bed. If a craving hits, drink a glass of water and see if the hunger subsides. If not reach for string cheese or a piece of fruit.
3. The Bad Habit: Endless Snacking
Snacking all day can be a bad habit that is easy to develop and difficult to break. To break this habit of snacking on unhealthy foods, keep healthy foods around. Have fruits and veggies readily available with healthy dips like peanut butter or hummus. Don’t keep foods like chips and cookies stocked within your desk or pantry.
4. The Bad Habit: Skipping Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should not be skipped. If you do not have the time to sit and eat your meal before heading off to the day’s duties, prepare a smoothie the night before and have a bagel ready with peanut butter and banana or apple slices.
5. The Bad Habit: Emotional Eating
Do you find yourself eating after a bad at school or work? Do not let food become your coping mechanism. Go for a walk or listen to music to cope with the bad days. Find different ways to deal with the stress rather than relying on food.
6. The Bad Habit: Eating to Quickly
Eating too fast does not allow your brain to catch up with your stomach to send the signal of being full. Slow down your eating by drinking a glass of water between bite sand putting your utensils down when chewing.
7. The Bad Habit: Not Getting Enough Sleep
Inadequate sleep can have one feeling groggy and make poor food choices throughout the day. Set a bedtime routine for yourself and try to get at least 8 hours of sleep.
Dishin’ Out Healthy – Health Educator
Nichelle
