Food-Related Behavior Change

When trying to lose weight and become healthier, many people think that it is all about willpower. Being able to stay away from foods we love and not eat as much as we are used to. But, in some instances, it may be easier to change your eating environment rather than change your mind. We tend to be too focused on the food and not on our surroundings. Willpower is hard and has to last a life time. So why not makes changes to our homes, workplaces, schools and grocery shopping rather than trying to change our minds and they way we think?

There are a lot of simple changes we can make that will help us eat less and eat healthier. So, why torture ourselves with tempting foods when we can just change the environment of which the food is in. Here are some simple (some may seem too simple) changes to make when trying to lose weight and be healthier. 

• "In sight, in stomach": we eat what we see, not what we don't. If foods are not visible, we are less likely to indulge in them.
• Rearrange your cupboard, pantry and refrigerator so the first foods you see are the best for you: if you have a sugary cereal and a low-sugar granola, and the sugary cereal is in front, that is the one you are more likely to grab and eat. 
• Set-up a designated kids cupboard that is off limits to you: many people have growing children that have certain snacks and treats that parents are trying to avoid. So, have a designated area for the kids and label it. By doing so, you do not see their snacks every time you reach for something to eat. 
• When buying bulk, repackage any supersized boxes into single-serve Baggie sizes: When shopping at stores like Costco and Sam's club, everything comes in bulk. When buying in bulk, you are more likely to eat the food faster and in greater quantities, because that is what you have.
• When pouring a beverage, use a tall glass rather than a wide glass
• Serve meals from the counter top or stove rather than on the table you are eating from: having to get up and walk and extra couple of feet to get more food is enough to not help yourself to another serving.
• Serve out of bowls with lids: when food is out of sight, it's out of mind. By simply putting a lid on the candy dish can help cut down how much you dig into it.