Healthy Eating Habits
Losing Body Fat
Habits are all patterns of behavior formed by repetitive actions. When you brew coffee, brush your teeth and shower in the morning, it's habitual. Similarly, bad habits, such as smoking or drinking, are actions you do without giving it
a second thought. Our choices in foods and beverages are just the same. When your doctor admonishes you by saying “You'd better try to develop some healthy eating habits, or you run the risk of ... (fill in whatever health condition)”, this may seem like a meaningless chastisement. What are healthy eating habits? It may seem like a tall order. Many people fail to heed their doctor's warning, not because they don't take it seriously, but because they just don't know where to begin. Let's examine how you can gradually shift your eating patterns and food choices to achieve the elusive, healthy diet.
Few people are able to do a complete makeover of their diet in one big move. Bad habits die hard, as any smoker can tell you. Our tastes in food develop over a lifetime, so the key to success is to make gradual changes over time. If you're a junk food fan or love nothing more than a big plate of greasy french fries, don't expect that you'll be able to easily quit these un-healthy eating habits overnight. Your body will revolt, your metabolism won't cooperate, and you're more likely to end up feeling guilty and going back to your old habits.
One technique that works well is to slowly wean yourself from your 'bad' food choices. If it's your habit to stop for those fries every day after work, give yourself a new attitude. The first week, allow yourself two days to enjoy them. No more. The second week, go for just one such indulgence. Cutting back on the amount of salt you use to season the fries will help, because while you get to eat the fries, they become a little less enjoyable, making them less desirable.
As you begin to cut one bad food from your diet, introduce one new, healthy eating habit. For example, take a piece of fruit with you to work for your lunch dessert, replacing your usual sugary snack. Eat it slowly and enjoy every bite. Apples are a great choice, since they are high in fiber and antioxidants, low in calories, and surprisingly filling. Apples also leave a nice clean taste in your mouth. Use the weaning and replacing strategy to plant you firmly on the road to healthy eating habits.
Continue with this pattern of switching out on un-healthy foods, while introducing better choices. Switch buttered mashed potatoes for a savory rice pilaf garnished with fresh parsley. Start including fish in your meals a couple of times a week. Make a fruit juice and yogurt smoothie for breakfast when you're in a hurry.
Using this strategy may bring surprising results. You can't help but start enjoying the new variety in your diet. You're probably going to be feeling better overall and more energetic. You may notice a healthier glow to your skin. As you develop your new, long-term healthy eating habits, you will grow to enjoy it, for what it does for you!
