How to End Unhealthy Food Addictions
By Genevieve Cunningham
Everyone has an addiction of some sort. For some people, it’s tobacco or prescription drugs. For others, it’s caffeine or another stimulant to help them stay awake. And for a great many, it’s delicious foods. Salty foods, sugary treats, chocolatey goodness. Too many of us harbor a hidden addiction to these wonderful foods. Unfortunately, the foods that cause addiction are almost always unhealthy! They’re packed with calories and sugar and generally unhealthy ingredients. So what are we to do? How are we supposed to live a healthy life when these foods are a constant part of the equation? Like any other addiction, you have to break it! If you’re ready to break your unhealthy food addictions and eat a healthier diet every day, take a look at these tips for making it happen.
Don’t Reward Yourself With Food
You’re not a dog. Too many of us work hard to lose a certain amount of weight, and then we reward ourselves with food. If you want to break the addiction, you need to find a better way of rewarding yourself. You need to find something more deeply satisfying. Maybe you take yourself to a particular location. Maybe you perform a certain activity. But stop putting so much value on food that it becomes your ultimate goal.
Gain an Understanding of Nutrition
Sometimes the more you know, the more likely you are to adjust your eating. Nutrition is fuel. It keeps your body working efficiently and makes you feel either really good or really bad, depending on what you choose to put in your mouth. If you don’t have a good grasp on nutrition (and you probably don’t), make it a new goal. Research, ask questions to professionals, and read, read, read. Understanding nutrition may help you make a switch in your mind, which is most of the battle of breaking an addiction.
Change Your Surroundings
If you want to break an addiction, you often have to change the things that are around you. You have to change the foods that are in your kitchen. You have to go to healthier restaurants. You have to hang out with people who skip the junk food. It can be hard to change your surroundings, but it’s really worth it. Do this slowly, get a handle on your environment, and altering your diet becomes just a little bit easier.
Addictions aren’t always the end of the world. Most of us love a little coffee or soda, and though not the healthiest, it’s not the worst thing you could do. But unhealthy food addictions can wreak havoc on your general health over time. Use these tips to get a handle on them, and you may be able to enjoy a healthier life and body for years to come.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Scottsdale, Ariz.