Breaking bad eating habits is never an easy task. It is not like a bad apple that you can always throw straight to your bin. According to a study, getting out from an unhealthy eating habit may take an average of 66 days. But of course, this depends on an individual’s motivation. If you are highly motivated it may be possible for you to break your bad eating habits in 21 to 28 days. But for some individuals who may have had been doing bad eating habits for as long as they can remember, stopping these habits altogether at once can be very difficult to do. It may take longer for them to do so.
To help you start overcoming unhealthy eating habits here are some useful tips:
Recognizing Your Bad Eating Habits and Their Effects
Most often, people may start accepting their unhealthy eating habits when their bellies, arms, and thighs are beginning to bulge. Moreover, some may not give it a damn until their weight has increased immensely.
Eating and drinking are the only ways extra calories get into our bodies. Our bodies do not need extra amount of calories. When we ingest more of what our bodies need, these calories are stored in cells. Knowing this, you should start identifying the sources of these extra calories.
Getting fat and heavy has many unhealthy implications. Identifying those eating habits that give you more calories must be the best start to overcome them.
Making a Week-Long Healthy Meal Plan
Making a meal plan before going to the grocery is both good for your health and budget. With a weekly healthy meal plan, you will only be buying the things that you need in your kitchen to prepare your meals. Indeed, when going to a grocery, it can be irresistible not to pick some food items, junk food or whatnot. But if you only brought an exact amount of money, you will not be buying anything outside your list. This will help you get rid of keeping unhealthy snacks in your home.
Doing Away With Cookie and Candy Jars
Maintaining cookie and candy jars can mean that you can always have these treats anytime even if you are not hungry at all. Cookies and candies have high sugar content and may also contain preservatives. Instead of cookie and candy jars, display a fruit tray on your kitchen table.
Going Over Products’ Nutritional Content
A bottled apple juice does not contain only apple. It may have more sugar content and artificial flavorings than from what is taken from real apples. This makes it important to read labels of products before buying them.
Eating Without Distractions
Set a fixed schedule to eat your meals and make sure that you have a longer available time to enjoy your food. This way, you can eat slowly and feel if you are already full. Get rid of distractions, like watching TV or reading a novel. You may not know that you have already eaten more than what you should.
Practicing Mindful Eating
As you do away with distractions, it’s time that you practice mindful eating. Eating slowly and chewing your food well is good for the digestion of food and the easy absorption of nutrients by the body. By eating slowly, you will avoid eating past your point of fullness.
Avoiding the Use of Delivery Apps Too Often
Delivery apps are everywhere. They can be very helpful if you are as busy as a bee. But ordering too much from them will destroy your healthy meal plans. You may not also know exactly the ingredients placed in your food. There may be lot of artificial flavorings.
Avoiding Fast Foods and Restaurants
Managing your time well will help you allot some time to prepare your own healthy and delicious foods. This way, you can avoid eating in fast foods and restaurants. You are not only making sure that you are eating healthy meals but you are also saving money.
Avoiding Drinking Products Straight Up
Summer is just around the corner and many will be looking for some cold drinks to quench their thirst. An easy way out of our thirst is to stop over a store and buy any refrigerated drink there is. Coffee drinkers may also go to cafes to drink their favorite cappuccino or latte. When drinking prepared drinks, you may never know how much sugar or other unhealthy ingredients are put into them.
Making Healthy Foods Always Available
It may be easier to find junk food than healthy snacks when you are truly hungry. They are always available in the nearest grocery stores. This can destroy your healthy eating goals once you feel genuinely hungry. You should always keep a supply of healthy snacks at home.
Some may find it very hard to keep going with their healthy eating habits. Being motivated can be the best way to achieve your goals of getting rid of bad eating habits. Educating your family about the benefits of good eating habits can be of great help. You should also find a support group who will be with you in your journey.