Changing up your eating habits is rough. The concept of putting down the burgers and fries or donuts and ice cream in exchange for what sounds like tasteless healthy foods just doesn’t sit well with you. You know wholeheartedly what the better option is for your health, but inertia is an obstacle that can be difficult to overcome. If you are serious about changing your eating habits, taking gradual steps towards change is often the best solution.
Limit Takeout or Fast Food
Fast food may taste great but is ultimately packed with fat, sugar, salt, and a host of other ingredients that are terrible for the body. Prolonged consumption of these things can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
When you’re used to eating unhealthy foods for so long, going cold turkey could result in you gorging on things you don’t need in just a few weeks. Instead of cutting out fast food altogether, start by limiting how many times you eat it in a month. Over time, you can cut it down to just once a month or a few times a year.
Portion Control
It’s not only what you eat that can get you in trouble, but how much of it you eat. Too much of anything can be bad for your digestive system. Overeating can result in weight gain, heart disease, and a host of other medical problems.
Reduce the amount of food you’re eating in one sitting.
You can use things like sandwich bags, Tupperware, smaller plates, and portion control cooking and serving utensils to reduce your calorie intake. This will help to boost your metabolism allowing you to maintain a healthy weight and minimizing your chances of weight-related diseases.
Get Help
Change takes 21 days or more to become a habit, which is a long time when it comes to the temptation of food. One smell from the cafeteria at work could tempt you to toss your salad aside and head for the nearest restaurant.
Fortunately, weight loss programs can be very helpful with this. They offer a support team that can coach you through the first few months of your transition. They also have delicious meal plans and recipes, along with quality shakes, bars, and supplements you can take advantage of. When you have a plan and great food options to choose from, you’re less likely to be tempted by the smells of unhealthy foods. The lessons learned and tools used in the program will lead to improvement in your eating habits long-term.
Keep Healthy Snacks Around
It is not uncommon to get a bit hungry in between meals. When you grab a snack to satisfy your hunger, however, it is important to watch what you’re choosing and how much you’re eating.
Instead of cracking open a bag of chips and eating the entire thing or running to the vending machine for a candy bar at work, keep healthy snacks with you. Place a fruit bowl on the kitchen counter, throw protein bars in your desk, or learn a few recipes for healthy alternatives to some of your sweet and/or salty treats.
The decisions you make with food will impact your health now and in the future. If making the change to eating better has proven to be difficult, try breaking it down into more manageable steps. Start with one change and as it becomes second nature, add more changes. With time, you’ll come to fuel your body the right way and improve your health inside and out.