What do you think plays the biggest role in how healthy or otherwise your lifestyle is? Exercise, hydration, sleep, and others all have a big role to play, but the key decider is what you eat. Eating habits contribute a huge deal to your general health and here, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the eating habits you can replace, and what you should replace them with.
Start thinking about your meals
You shouldn’t go into a day without a plan of what, exactly, you are going to eat. If you pre-plan your meals, such as with a meal planner app, then you can make sure that you’re sticking to healthier choices, making you less likely to pick up the phone to order that takeout. You can even pre-prepare your meals so that you have them ready to go by the time dinner time rolls around.
Don’t keep unhealthy treats around
Some habits are born out of convenience. If you have unhealthy snacks, be it chocolate, crisps, or whatever else lying around, then you’re a lot more likely to reach out for them. Try to keep your cupboards and fridge full of healthy snacks for adults. That way, if you start getting some cravings that you can’t avoid, then you’re a lot less likely to do damage to your own diet. Of course, this might mean getting the whole family to agree to improve their eating habits if you share these spaces.
Avoid grazing if possible
You can make snacking a lot healthier, but one of the best ways to do it is to avoid any unplanned snacking at all. Grazing is a huge driver of weight gain since it’s easy to lose control of how much you’re eating during the day. Plan out your snacks, including what time you eat them, and avoid grazing as best as possible to keep your metabolism in check.
Slow it down a touch
It’s not just what you eat and when you eat that can affect your diet, but how you eat, as well. If you eat really quickly, then you’re a lot less likely to feel full and satisfied at the end of a meal. It might take some time to get used to, but mindful eating can be great for helping you feel done at the end of your meals. Slow your eating right down, giving yourself the time to chew. It also helps you better appreciate the flavours of what you are eating.
Get regular with your meals
If you’re planning your meals then you should be doing this anyway, but one of the best things you can do for your diet is to structure it. Have a set time for your daily meals, and then stick to it. You should avoid skipping breakfast as best as possible, as this meal in particular helps your metabolism kick into gear.
Of course, habits aren’t always easy to change. That’s why they’re habits. But making little changes one at a time can help you gradually make long-term differences in how you eat for the better.
Disclaimer: THE JOEY JOURNAL does not provide Medical advice, treatments or diagnoses. Any material published on this blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before contacting your Healthcare Practitioner or GP.
