It's important to leave room for things we like to eat and drink, even if they're not considered healthy. Food may be fuel, but it's also a source of pleasure - and it's okay to enjoy yourself!
But sometimes, our choices can become difficult to manage. Not only can frequent unhealthy choices result in compromised health over time, short-term results of our food or beverage choices may show up as guilty thoughts, feeling weighed down, sluggish, or discouraged.
Of course it's highly recommended that you know and practice coping mechanisms to deal with those negative feelings. Although those feelings are uncomfortable, eliminating them completely is unrealistic; however, you can take actions to reduce their occurrence as they relate to eating habits.
Here's a quick analysis you can perform on any food and beverage - regardless if you consider it healthy or unhealthy - to determine any changes you may need to make with your eating habits:
Identify the things you like about the food or beverage.
Identify the nutrient facts and impacts on your health (impacts can be positive or negative).
How much and how often do you eat this food/drink this beverage?
Does it align with your standards for health?
Do you need to make any changes? If so, create a simple, yet specific plan. Example: I love [insert food/beverage], but [insert how it doesn't align with your standards for health]. Before choosing [insert food/beverage] for a snack, I'll take a short pause to ask myself if it's what I really want or need.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. If you're interested in making dietary changes, guidance from a nutrition expert is highly advised. Please review our Nutrition & Wellness Services here.