Avoid junk food with these tips

Junk foods are low nutritional value foods that have become a major part in the diets of many individuals. They cause momentary satisfaction but are harmful in the long run. They contain high level of calories and fats with very little fibers, proteins and vitamins. They provide a feeling of satisfaction with very low nutritional gain.

Everyone would be healthier if they didn’t eat junk food — Robert Atkins (was an American physician and cardiologist)

Avoiding junk food is easier said than done as the junk food cravings are very powerful and physiological (according to a NY Times article). Some tips to avoid junk food are as follows –

1. Keep your environment free from junk food — If you clear your environment of junk food, you are less likely to go out and buy it. Keeping junk food around when you are trying to avoid it is a recipe for failure.
2. Keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand –When the food cravings hit, you will consume the healthy foods available in your kitchen. Keep granola bars, fresh fruit, almonds, and low-fat yogurt in your refrigerator and always stash a couple of snacks in your car or purse.
3. Eat healthy foods early in the day — The more healthy food you eat early on in the day, the less chance you will binge on junk food later on in the day when your willpower is lower.
4. Chew sugar free mints while experiencing junk food cravings — They are a nice distraction while experiencing junk food cravings. Everything you consume after chewing them makes their taste bitter. So you’re less likely to eat them. (Note — They also work for quitting cigarettes)
5. Variety in foods — Having a variety of healthy food will distract your cravings and gives a feeling of satisfaction. (Tip — Pair crunchy items like carrots with something creamy like hummus or peanut butter to add variety into your snacks)
6. Drink plenty of water — They make us feel full and helps balance our blood sugar levels. Staying full will also make you less likely to reach for a can of unhealthy sugar drinks.

These are few habits to kick out junk food from your diet. Eat healthy, Stay healthy.