Healthy Eating

Conquering the Mind

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We can find delicious food everywhere in today’s world. There seems to be an impossible number of different options that we can choose to eat and with as much quantity as we like. There are also many different body types with unique genetics that each human being is still trying to understand. Put these two together and you will find some struggles. It is important to keep in mind that we have the ability to choose. We are not forced to eat or have food shoved down our throats. We are simply invited and sometimes feel pressured.

Most people would agree that we should try to eat healthy, but healthy eating has become subjective and individual. Instead of discussing which specific foods you should eat, let’s talk about how to conquer the mind to make your own choices of healthy eating.

First, we need to realize that we have a choice. Our minds will sometimes trick us into thinking that we don’t. The traps we may fall into are that we feel pressured from our own peers to enjoy something right at that moment with them and then we forget about our long term healthy goals. In reality, we can enjoy food at any time we desire and we will not be missing out if we choose not to indulge in the moment. When we patiently wait for another time, we will notice good rewards.

Second, positive thinking is our best friend. We feel desperately discouraged when we feel like we have failed. We tend to develop low self-esteem and end up unhappy with ourselves. We need to practice giving ourselves a break and allowing there to be forgiveness for ourselves and opportunities to improve. It is as simple as breaking the habit cycle. The habit cycle has four steps: a cue, then a craving, a response, and finally a reward. In one example, the cue would be a failure or a rough day, then the craving would be to do something that makes you happy. Your response is what is key. You can eat something unhealthy and then the reward or consequence would be that you feel bad about breaking your goals. The other options are you can go exercise, talk to a friend, or write in your journal and then the reward is much more satisfying.

Lastly, learn to love the healthy foods you want to eat. This is simply finding foods that are healthy and also delicious to you. Your mind will constantly remember the negative experience you have with food you do not like. Try to find recipes that look appealing and healthy, then your mind will actually look forward to what you will be eating.

“Life is meant to be enjoyed” and we can choose to enjoy the healthy food that we eat and accomplish our goals to a happy lifestyle.