During your Covid19 confinement, how many times have you said to yourself “now’s the time to make big changes in my health. I’m going to start by eating well”? And then you don’t. You go for the comfort foods because you’re bored, stressed or scared, so you eat bagels for breakfast, a white bread sandwich with processed meat and chips for lunch and a burger and fries for dinner. And nighttime snacks of cheetos, cake and cookies, wine and beer. So you think - what’s the use? I have no discipline, or I deserve a little comfort. But you worry. You know if you are struck with Covid, your chances for an easy time with it are related to your existing level of health. But you also know changing your food for the better requires big changes.
To this I say, take little steps to land in a better place. You want to slowly but steadily clear the runway to make room for a smoother flight through life. Here are 4 starters for you:
Step 1. Change your thinking, You can’t improve your ongoing eating habits until you connect the changes with improved health. If you’re only thinking how much you miss those cheetos or bagels, you’ll be miserable and won’t stick to the changes. So be positive. Congratulate yourself for every positive change you make with your food.
Step 2. Change your breakfast. Give up the bagel or muffin. Here’s a breakfast experiment you can try. Notice which keeps you satisfied until lunch. Make that you go-to choice.
Day 1: Eat a big bowl of oatmeal with raisins, one cup of tea. No coffee.
Day 2 Eat 2 eggs and toasted organic bread, no butter. One cup of tea.
Day 3 Eat a variety of seasonal fruit, such as melon and berries with nuts or seeds.
Step 3. Get the trouble-maker foods out of your home. Unless you have major control, you’ll just be teasing yourself by having them around. Out of sight, out of mind.
Step 4. Trust me. When I say good quality food will end your cravings, and it will become easier as time passes, I’m not making this up. Quality food crowds out desire for unhealthy food.