After decades of living in a fast food dominated world, who would ever have thought that eating healthy would become trendy? Truth be told, though, junk food is one of the most addictive things on the planet. I have seen and experienced first-hand how hard it can be to swap in that personal pizza menu for a nice home cooked meal. Or to turn down that scrumptious looking brownie at a friend’s house warming bash because you’re on a diet. However, I have also witnessed and experienced the joys of healthy eating and healthy living in general and I will share these with you. Without further ado, below is why and how to press the brakes on that fast food bender you’re on. Pun very much intended
Out with the junk
First thing’s first, you are probably asking yourself why you would need to make such a drastic move. After all, how bad can fast food be if everyone loves it, right? Wrong. Below are 3 of the simplest and most straightforward reasons why you need to get rid of junk food from your life
– It’s unhealthy (duh)
This goes without saying. However, contrary to popular belief, there are worse health effects that a few extra pounds and a love handle or two. When taken in excess, fast food can and will do a not so pretty number on your digestive tract. This can be anything from constipation or diarrhea to excessive bloating and intolerance to certain foods. The additives in the snacks, drinks and foods themselves are also not something to smile about. It could be the sugar that makes that drink that much sweeter or that unnamed special flavor in that burger that keeps you coming back for more. These have numerous negative effects ranging from allergic reactions to serious conditions like diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Need I say more?
– It makes you feel bad
In addition to being really harsh on your body, fast food and other forms of junk will actually give you the blues. One way this happens is through your conscience. I have experienced this on more occasions than I am proud of. You decide to start living healthy then something goes wrong and you pretty much jump off the wagon. What follows is guilt that in some cases leads to depression and even worse lifestyle decisions. On the other hand, some types of food contain additives that directly affect your mood center giving you a fast high and a serious emotional crash soon after.
– It’s a waste of money
Finally, contrary to popular belief fast food isn’t the cheapest way to keep yourself nourished. It is actually a very expensive lifestyle that will cost you a whole lot more than it is worth. All you need to do is to find the right places to shop for healthy ingredients and food and you will be ready for the move.
In with the good stuff
It should not take more than the three carefully laid out mind bombs above to convince you that it is time for a change. If you do decide to go down this road, below are a few things you need to know about adopting healthy eating habits.
Balance that diet
Eating healthy is all about that balance. In this case, you will have to do a little research to find out which food falls into which category. You might also want to learn the best proportions while balancing a meal for different needs. It could be a protein filled diet if you want to bulk up. It could be a low carb meal plan if you are trying to lose weight. Whatever the case, make sure to have most if not all of the food groups represented on your plate in every meal.
Eat regularly
If you would like to lose weight after years of overdoing the junk, one thing you need to know is that self starvation is not the way to go. In fact, you are more likely to help your body recover by eating more frequently. In this case, sneak in some nice healthy snacks like nuts and fruits between major meals. This helps curb cravings and prevents overeating when it comes time to chomp down your next meal.
Control those portions
Too much of anything is not good for you. The same applies for healthy food. This is the case especially with carbs and protein. If you overdo it, you might just end up where you started with the fast food crisis. However, you do not have to be mean to yourself. Eat as much as you need to get full; but once you feel satisfied there is truly no need to go on.
Try out some super foods
Fad diets are not a great way to get settled into this amazing new lifestyle. However, there are a few trends that are actually worth following. One of these is the use of superfoods. These are basically ordinary fruits, vegetables, herbs and cereals with added benefits when included in diets. It could be anything from increased burning of fat to improved digestive function. Whatever the case, there is no denying the fact that they are worth a try.
Have fun with food
Finally, the best way to make this new way of living stick is by having fun with it. In this case, do not be afraid to try out new recipes and cuisines. It will make healthy eating a lot more exciting and appealing to you. If you are too busy to do the cooking yourself all the time, you could also look out for the many new and exciting organic and healthy food restaurants there are today. That way, you get to keep up with your busy lifestyle without compromising on your nutrition.
With all this said and done, the most important thing to do is to always remember to cut yourself some slack and to take your wins however small. The move will not be easy. A time will come when you will not be as strong as you need to be to resist the urge to go back. It’s ok. Just don’t let it be permanent. If you fall off the wagon, pick yourself up and start again and in no time it will become second nature.