Want to Eat Healthy? Ditch these 4 Unhealthy Habits

People always ask me how they can eat healthier, as they find it super difficult to always stay on track. Unhealthy eating is mainly caused by bad eating habits that you have picked up along the way. Sometimes it is hard to determine what these habits are because you are so used to them, so I have put together a list of 4 of the most common culprits. Remember if you do these things occasionally it does not mean you are an unhealthy eater. It may only become an issue if they are habits in your everyday life.

Skipping Breakfast
By now I think everyone has heard about how breakfast is the most important meal of the day, with our ever increasing busy lives it can be easy to skip breakfast when you are running late.  When you skip meals, your metabolism can begin to slow down, especially after it hasn’t received any food for long periods of time, such as when you’re asleep. Breakfast gives you the boost of energy that you need to start your day. Without this, the chances of you overeating later in the day are higher. You may also find yourself endlessly snacking, because your body is craving nutrients. If you are always in a hurry, make your own ‘grab and go’ breakfast like this overnight oats recipe http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Overnight-Oats-Recipe-34698639/ It requires only about 30 seconds of preparation the night before.  It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Eating While You’re Distracted
I think this is one of those habits that can turn unhealthy very quickly. If you are one of those people that are constantly snacking while watching TV, surfing the internet or cooking then you are probably eating a lot more than you are aware of. It can be super easy to keep reaching into that bowl for more, as you aren’t paying attention to it. What you eat also makes a huge difference, so if it is a bag of chips or a bowl of ice cream that you are absent mindedly snacking on you could overeat without even knowing it. Try to schedule in set snack times, or if you like snacking while watching TV, portion them out and choose healthier foods.

Emotional Eating
This is a biggie. We have all done it, had a bad day and drowned our sorrows in a whole box of chocolate chip cookies washed down by a soft drink. However.using food as a coping mechanism can have serious impacts on your health. If your ‘comfort food’ is generally junk food, and you use it as a source of happiness for every time you are feeling upset or angry – this could lead to a bad habit you definitely want to stay away from. It is okay to indulge every once in awhile, however be aware that you shouldn’t turn to food each time you are feeling down or stressed. Instead, try to replace this habit with something like exercise. Even a simple walk will boost your feel good hormones and leave you in a better mood than an oily burger will.

Binge Eating on Weekends
Do you restrict your eating all week so you can go on full out binges during the weekend? This type of eating may impact your weight in the long run, because it is not balanced or sustainable. Depriving yourself and then eating past your ‘full’ point because you ‘deserve it’ creates a super unhealthy mentality that can be hard to shake. If you are trying to eat healthier, don’t cut out all your favorite foods and deprive yourself altogether. Instead, eat a balanced diet with the occasional treat. Don’t give in to the mentality that the weekends are solely for binging. Instead embrace healthy eating and try not to look at it like a chore.

Remember any of these habits can be broken. Take it slowly and try to make a few small changes first, rather than overhauling your entire diet.