Controlling Bad Eating Habits

Weight problems don’t appear out of thin air; there’s always an underlying cause. Common sources of weight gain are ‘mindless eating’, always taking the quick route via high fat, high sodium fast food, and pscyhological issues. These pitfalls cause good eating habits to lapse. Below is some information on how to avoid them.

1) Mindless Eating – Eating in the car, while watching T.V., or while running out the door. We’ve all done one or more of these. But make it a habit and you’ll get caught in the trap of mindless eating. Food is going in, but are you really enjoying what you’re eating? Do you have even a rough idea of how many calories you’re consuming in one sitting?

Try this. Plan regular meal times during the day. Eat sitting down, but not while driving. Most importantly, plan what you’re going to eat the day before. Making this a habit will encourage you to make healthy choices and avoid mindless eating.

2) Fast food. While it’s okay once in awhile, fast food is not a healthy choice due to its high fat, high sodium content. For instance, KFC’s Double Down, two breaded pieces of chicken with bacon, cheese, and sauce between them, contains some 540 calories and 32 grams of fat.

Plan to eat home made lunches at work, and breakfasts and dinners at home. Not only will you save money in the long run this way, you’ll also know exactly what the ingredients are in your home made meals.

3) Psychological Issues. Do you ever use food to calm raging emotions? Ever turn to unhealthy foods to see yourself through rough patches in your home life? If you find yourself engaging in these activities on a regular basis, you may be struggling with emotional eating. The services of a psychologist or a social worker may be helpful.