How to Make Healthier Food Choices – Part 2
You probably already know that fruit is a healthy snack and vegetables are good for you. But when a bag of potato chips is calling your name or a pint of ice cream awaits in the freezer, why would you want to choose celery sticks?
If you struggle with being able to choose the foods you know are good for your health in the face of temptations, you’re not alone. That’s why I started this blog series on How to Make Healthier Food Choices. If you haven’t read Part 1 about mindful eating, go read that post as well to help you on your wellness journey.
This week, we’re continuing by discussing how to make the healthy choice the easy choice by keeping your distance from “junk” foods.
Tip #2: Don’t Buy Tempting Foods
This tip is very simple yet powerful – so simple in fact, that we often overlook it. But it’s only powerful if you implement it:
If there are foods that you struggle with overconsuming, then don’t keep it in your house!
See, told you it was simple. But it truly does work!
Most of us lack will power with certain foods and beverages. Some days we’re strong enough to say no, but other days it’s too much. Especially if you’re stressed or tired.
Keep Your Distance from Tempting Foods
If you can’t keep your spoon out of the ice cream tub, then don’t keep ice cream in the house. Save it for evenings out with your friends or kids, or only buy it when you have people to share it with and can toss the empty container that same day.
If you don’t have the discipline to only eat a few potato chips or one ounce of cheese on occasion, then do not buy it. This way you don’t even have to try to exercise will power or discipline. When you then remove the temptation, you also remove the mental wrestle. You don’t have a choice to make because it’s already made for you.
The only way you can still indulge is if it’s SO important to you that you’re willing to take a trip to the store or restaurant to get it. This is the perfect moment to practice mindful eating that we talked about in Part 1. You’ll have to ask yourself, “Do I really want it that bad?” You will be forced to practice checking in with your body and emotions. Do you truly want [insert favorite food], or are you just bored, doing it out of habit, stressed, etc.
I have had moments where, yes, a brownie was THAT important to me that I was willing to change clothes, get in the car, and go buy one. I think those are the times that it’s fine to indulge in a craving and get it out of your system. On the other hand, I have also had moments where a burger sounded amazing, but not enough to get me out of my comfy clothes, down the stairs, into the car, and to the restaurant. On those days I opted for something healthier because I already had it in my refrigerator.
Some foods we reach for out of habit, even if we don’t want it that badly. Maybe it’s comforting, or just part of the nightly routine. For instance, I started eating popcorn as a low-calorie snack in the evenings out of cravings. However, after a few weeks, it turned into a habit and I would almost automatically serve myself some popcorn after dinner even if I wasn’t hungry or wasn’t even really craving it. That’s when I had to stop buying it because I felt like I couldn’t control the habit or serving sizes anymore.
So, rather than keep your chips, popcorn, chocolate, ice cream, etc in the house, stop buying it or only buy it sporadically. Indulge on special occasions or enjoy it when you go out to eat but don’t keep the temptation around.
This is one of the simplest ways to eat healthier and lose weight!
Comment below: have you tried this trick, and how did it work for you?
