Knowing the Right Questions to Ask About Your Eating Habits
Why Asking the Right Questions Matters
Do you ever think about why you actually eat, what you eat? I’m guessing your answer will be either, “because I’m hungry” or maybe “it’s just the time to eat”. For most of us, eating is just something we do without even thinking.
Ever find yourself reaching for chips at 3 or 4 PM every day? Is there a reason behind that or is that just a habit?
In this post we are going to dive into some of the unknown habits behind our actions of eating. Understanding your habits can be an important first step toward making changes that feel natural instead of forced.
The Power of Awareness
We often think that food choices are just about taste. But did you know that it goes way beyond that?
Our food choices are often shaped by our emotions, routines, and even marketing. You may have thought that fast forwarding through all the commercials meant you skipped all that marketing. But marketing has now expanding into others ways to influence you. Do you have a social media account? Well then, you my friend are being influenced almost every time you are on there scrolling.
For example: Have you noticed that we tend to associate popcorn with movies? That’s because we’ve been conditioned to!
Questions to Ask Yourself
To help you understand the reasons behind you eating, I’ve come up with some questions to ask yourself.
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- What kind of meals do you eat regularly?
- Do you get cravings for certain foods? Make note of when you get them.
- Do eat out of hunger, boredom, stress, or habit? Also think about the type of food you tend to crave during those times.
- Which type of foods do you grab when you’re short on time?
- What foods do you desire after a long day at work? Try to think about if what you are eating helps you to wind down or relax.
- Which fruits and vegetables do you prefer and which ones are a hard no?
Small Tweaks Can Make All the Difference
Now that you have a better understanding about the reasoning behind your eating habits it’s time to take some action. Look to make small tweaks to your diet that can help remove some of the struggles associated with eating more fruits and vegetables.
Let’s take for example grabbing a candy bar mid-afternoon. There could be multiple reasons for choosing to do that and being able to identify the right one allows you make a tweak that will be effective.
Maybe it’s energy you need, and so something with glucose is what your body is craving. If that’s the case then you can choose something more nutrient dense like a fruit, which is filled with natural sugar versus processed. That’s a much healthier choice and it would also be a perfect opportunity to add some fruit.
Or maybe it’s the convenience of something small that you can quickly eat in between meetings. Many people often don’t have time and need a quick boost of energy. So what’s usually available, easy to grab, and quick to eat? A candy bar! If that is the scenario then something like a smoothie or a bar made with dates could make a great substitute. Both can be packed in your lunch bag so they’ll be ready when you need it.
For more afternoon snack ideas check out, Tired, Hungry, and Craving Junk? Try These 5 Afternoon Snack Swaps (add post link to this)
Action Step
Ready to begin exploring? Great! Glad you’re excited. This will be a great first step to finding your Inside Style.
What I want you to do is pay attention to your eating habits for a day—just observe, no judgment! Think about those questions listed above before you eat something.
If you want to take it a step farther, get a notebook and jot down your answers. Also try doing it for an entire week. Maybe you’ll notice that your answers change based on the day of the week. For example, weekday answers may be different from your weekend ones.
As you can see it is important to ask yourself the right questions. Learning about your eating habits can be a great tool in helping you change your diet.
Check out these other posts to learn more about other factors that help shape your Inside Style.
Why the Texture of Food Matters – and How to Still Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
Healthy Eating & Heritage: How to Respect Tradition While Eating More Fruits & Vegetables
Healthy Eating for Busy People: Easy Ways to Add Fruits and Veggies Every Day
Effortless Nutrition: How to Eat More Fruits and Veggies Without Breaking the Bank
