By now we all know that eating less processed, junk foods and eating more healthy, whole food is a smart thing to do.
But it is also a fact that doughnuts and Oreos taste pretty good. Admittedly, as much as I love broccoli, I have no problem saying that Reese’s peanut butter cups taste even better.
In fact, many of us try and out willpower these food temptations and personally, I lose this battle every time.
If one of my favorite junk foods is in my house, IT WILL end up in my belly. No doubt about it.
But, I also have a goal of staying lean and having high energy every day…
Eating Oreos and peanut butter cups on the regular do not keep me closer to these goals. I have talked about eating to 80% full when it comes to our favorite treats, which works great, but if you find yourself struggling with certain foods, you will benefit from this one tip significantly. I figured this out through trial and error, and it has become my go-to and is now a habit I do without even thinking twice about.
The ultimate way to keep from eating junk and staying on track with your goals is:
Not Keeping Junk Food In The House
It is that simple. Don’t buy it and store it in your home.
Now, I understand this is tough with kids and/or unsupportive spouses.
If they are not on board, maybe you keep a particular cabinet with the junk they want and try and keep it isolated and out of your normal path and sight.
But, deep down, we all know that if something is in your house, it will eventually get eaten.
This doesn’t mean we should never have our favorite treat or junk foods, though.
Just make it a special trip and experience. Make a trip to pick up some doughnuts on a Saturday morning or an ice cream night out with the family.
Here are some strategies for making this tip work:
- Have a pre-planned grocery list. Make sure you only include all the healthy, whole food choices you will need for the week.
- Leave the junk food off the list, out of your basket, and out of the house.
- Make a list of your favorite treats and meals. Then scope out your favorite places around town to enjoy these things. Maybe its bagels, pizza, beer, wine, doughnuts, desserts, candy, etc. Plan a weekend brunch, movie theater night, girl/guys night, etc. Create an experience and something fun around your favorites. Enjoy them when you are out and be done with them when the experience is over.
- If you must have certain things you just love to eat at home, make a special trip to the grocery store that day. Keep it separate from your regularly planned trip. Eat it that day and throw away whatever you don’t eat that night. Typically, you will find whatever it is you “have to have” isn’t worth the extra trip and effort over time.
Eating the right foods majority of the time is vital to our success. But, you don’t need to feel guilty because you don’t love “healthy” foods as much as your favorites.
Giving yourself a better chance to succeed at a healthy, active lifestyle is about finding compromises and not trying to white-knuckle everything with superhuman willpower.
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