How Do I Stop Myself From Eating Junk Food?

Do you plan your meals ahead of time?

While shopping for food, do you buy from only the fresh produce, dairy and meat sections?

Does your daily meal plan contain an ample amount of healthy fats?

Does your daily meal plan contain an ample amount of protein?

Do you eat a lot of fruit on a regular basis?

Do you change your daily meals to get some variety?

Are you under a lot of stress recently?

There’s no better way to handle cravings than planning your meals and snacks ahead of time. If you have a healthy meal and snacks packed and ready for you at lunchtime and in the afternoon, you’re far less likely to grab a leftover piece of pizza, order French fries, or eat the sweets someone brought in to the office.

When you go shopping, try to purchase items only from these sections. If a food item has more than a few ingredients on the label , don’t buy it. This is a key step in transitioning your diet to whole foods. You’ll be getting all the nutrients you need from these healthy foods, so your cravings for the fake stuff will start to diminish.

One of the most common nutrition myths is that fat makes you fat. In fact, your body needs fat! However, there are many different types of fat. You should avoid trans fats and limit saturated fats, but heart-healthy fats like nuts and avocado will help you feel full and reduce cravings.

Protein makes you feel full, often more so than other macro-nutrients like carbs. Fill your diet with healthy sources of protein including fish, beans and vegetables.

Fruit has sugar, but it has a lot of vitamins, antioxidants, and water, too. It also contains fiber, which slows and balances out the effects on your blood sugar. This prevents the sugar crash. Once you wean yourself off of manufactured sugar, fruit will taste a lot sweeter and more satisfying to you. Grab a bowl of berries or a piece of watermelon if you’re craving something sweet.

Add some new and different foods to your routine. The more varied your diet, the less likely you will get bored or crave junk food. Eating diverse foods of many colors boosts your overall health and helps with disease prevention as well.

There’s almost always an emotional component behind cravings. Sure, you really need the brownie because you like the flavor. Or your blood sugar is low and you need an energy boost. You’re more likely to grab the Cheetos or leftover cookies when you’re upset or stressed by something. Try to manage your stress by taking a walk, doing yoga or even something creative like painting. This will help you get your mind relaxed and you will feel your craving to be diminished.

Another factor might be that you are not getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep is also thought to play a big role in junk food cravings. You might also want to stop eating a few hours before you intend to go to bed. A full stomach can cause indigestion and interfere with your ability to fall or stay asleep.