5 Unhealthy Eating Habits & How To Break Them

by Amanda Wilks on September 10, 2018 in Food+Drink, Wellness,
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We’re increasingly prone to unhealthy eating habits, brought on by today’s fast-paced, urban-dwelling life. Mixing ignorance and a lack of time with skillful modern marketing, that makes it ever harder to resist temptation, is a recipe for poor eating habits.

Here are the top five unhealthy eating habits, and tips on kicking them out of your life forever.

1. Stocking Up on Junk Food

The problem: Not having enough self-control while grocery shopping is a slippery slope. You walk into the supermarket to stock up on produce and lean meat for the week, and you walk out with seven different types of candy and ten bags of chips. If this situation sounds all too familiar to you, how can you ditch this habit?

Shop healthier by making a clear shopping list and establishing a budget before hitting the grocery store.

The solution: Help yourself by always making a clear shopping list and establishing a budget before hitting the store. Fill your refrigerator and pantry with fresh fruits and veggies, lean cuts of meat, natural spices, and healthy snacks such as nuts or granola and home cook most of your meals while steering clear of unhealthy fats and sugar.

The type of cookware you use is an important part of the transition to healthy eating. Scanpan pots and pans are perfect for the job, as they are non-stick, and require no oils. As a bonus, they are made exclusively of non-toxic and environment-friendly materials, and their cleanup is a breeze. (Click here for my Scanpan reviews, including pricing.)

2. Snacking at Night

The problem: Nighttime noshing is a common dietary issue. It is so widespread that it has its own name (night eating syndrome). The syndrome affects two out of 100 people and 27% of severely obese people seeking treatment, according to Harvard Medical School.

The solution: Whether you’re trying to lose weight, or simply want to feel less sluggish in the morning, ditching night snacks is a good idea. Start by brushing your teeth regularly and get plenty of sleep. You will feel less tempted to nibble on junk food at odd hours when you’re all clean and ready for slumber.

Raiding the fridge at night is a surprisingly common problem. Photo Flickr

3. Skipping Breakfast

The problem: Few people take the time to enjoy the first meal of the day properly. While this can lead to weight loss, it is damaging to human health, as it causes inflammation and increases the risk of heart disease.

The solution: It’s obvious: eat your breakfast. Do meal prepping the night before and stock up on healthy foods that you can eat on the go, such as cereal bars, pieces of fruit or veggie sticks.

Eating breakfast is a heart-healthy habit. Photo Public Domain Pictures

4. Munching Mindlessly

The problem: With our hectic modern lifestyle, most people tend to have their lunch while working, and their dinner in front of the TV. While this is certainly a time saver and a good way to unwind, it leads to overeating because you are no longer paying attention to the process.

The solution: Start focusing on your meal. Put that paperwork aside or turn off the TV and enjoy your food. It might even taste better this time around.

Speed eating can raise your risk of indigestion, heartburn and food poisoning.

5. Speed Eating

The problem: Nowadays, we are more than accustomed to eating on the run. While gulping down an entire plate in 0.5 seconds certainly saves you some time, it can lead to bloating, indigestion and even food poisoning.

The solution: Allow yourself time to enjoy a meal. Eat well and take a moment to assimilate the different tastes and flavors on your plate. This will benefit both your physical and mental health. Constantly being in a race against time can be self-destructive in the long run.


Amanda Wilks is a passionate writer, contributing author for The Kitchen Advisor, and cooking enthusiast. She enjoys writing about nutrition, healthy eating, and cooking methods. Through her writing, she hopes to inspire others to make smart choices regarding their own diet.