Total Mind Connection’s Weblog

Habits are patterns of behavior formed by repetition. It’s habitual how you brew your coffee in the morning, how you brush your teeth and how you take your shower. Similarly, bad habits, habits that aren’t good for you such as smoking, are actions you do without giving it any thought.

Our choices in what we eat and drink are the same. It may seem like a meaningless chastisement when your doctor tells you “You’d better try to develop some healthy eating habits, or you run the risk of … (fill in whatever health condition)” because you really don’t know what she’s talking about. But what are healthy eating habits and how can you make them a regular part of your life?

Many people fail to heed the doctor’s warning, not because they fail to take it seriously, but because they just don’t know where to begin. The doctor’s order makes some people feel overwhelmed. Let’s take a look at how you can gradually shift your eating patterns and food choices to achieve this sometimes elusive, healthy diet.

There are very few people that can do a complete diet makeover in one massive move. Habits die hard, as any smoker can tell you. Our tastes in food and our habitual way of eating develop over a lifetime, so the key to success is to make a plan and then make the changes over time. If you’re a junk food fan or love that supersized order of greasy French fries, it’ll take a while to change your unhealthy eating habits. It’s not going to happen overnight. You may find your body will revolt, that your metabolism won’t cooperate and, as a result you feel guilty and return to your old eating habits.

One technique that works well for some people is to wean themselves from your ‘bad’ food choices. If you are in the habit of stopping by the fast food joint for those fries every day on the way home from work, put some discipline into your life. The first week, allow yourself only two days to enjoy this treat. No more. The second week, only allow yourself one such indulgence. Try cutting back on the amount of salt you use to season the fries. This helps because less salt might make them taste less desirable.

As you begin to cut one not-so-good food from your diet, introduce a new, healthy eating habit in its place. For example, take a piece of fruit with you to work to eat for your lunch dessert, replacing your usual pastry or candy. Chew it slowly and savor every bite. Apples are a great choice because they are high in fiber and antioxidants while low in calories and surprisingly filling. Apples also leave a nice clean taste in your mouth. Use the weaning and replacing strategy to place your taste buds firmly on the road to healthy eating habits and success.

Continue with this pattern of switching out on un-healthy foods, while introducing better choices. You can switch high calorie buttered mashed potatoes for a savory pilaf garnished with fresh parsley. Try eating cold water fish a couple of times a week. Not only is it an excellent source of low fat protein it can also reduce your bad cholesterol level and improve your good cholesterol level. Instead of having a donut and coffee for breakfast when you’re in a rush make a fruit juice and yogurt smoothie.

I can almost guarantee you that this strategy will bring you surprising results. You’ll find yourself enjoying the new variety of tastes in your diet. I can also almost guarantee that you’ll feel better and more energetic. You’ll probably notice a healthier glow in your skin. As you develop your new, long-term healthy eating habits, you will grow to like it, for all it does for you!

If you would like more information about becoming more fit I have a FREE fitness e-Course.